der  Minutentakt

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/miˈnuːtənˌtakt/

⏱️ What exactly does 'der Minutentakt' mean?

Der Minutentakt describes a very high frequency where something happens or runs at intervals of just a few minutes. It literally means happening 'in the rhythm of minutes'.

The term is particularly common in the context of public transport (öffentliche Verkehrsmittel or ÖPNV) to express a high service frequency (e.g., every 5 or 10 minutes).

It's a masculine noun, which is why the article is der Minutentakt.

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Minutentakt

The word 'Minutentakt' is a noun (Substantiv) and its grammatical gender is masculine (Maskulinum). Therefore, the article is 'der'.

Example Sentences

• Die U-Bahn fährt hier im Minutentakt.
  (The subway runs here at minute intervals / every few minutes.)
• Während der Stoßzeit gibt es einen dichten Minutentakt.
  (During rush hour, there's a frequent service / minute frequency.)
• Wir wünschen uns einen besseren Minutentakt für die Buslinie 5.
  (We wish for a better minute frequency for bus line 5.)

🚌 Everyday Use: When to use Minutentakt?

The term Minutentakt is primarily used in these contexts:

• Public Transport: To describe the high frequency of buses (Busse), trains (Bahnen - U-Bahn, S-Bahn, Straßenbahn), especially during peak hours (Stoßzeiten). Example: 'Die Linie U1 verkehrt morgens im Fünf-Minutentakt.' (Line U1 runs every five minutes in the morning.)
• Other Regular Events: Less commonly, for other things that happen at very short, regular intervals. Example: 'Die Nachrichten wurden im Minutentakt aktualisiert.' (The news was updated every minute / minute by minute.)

It implies high reliability and availability. A 'Minutentakt' is the opposite of long waiting times (lange Wartezeiten) or irregular schedules (unregelmäßige Fahrpläne).

💡 Mnemonics to Remember

Here are little helpers to remember 'der Minutentakt':

Article Mnemonic: Think of 'der Takt' (the beat/rhythm) as the conductor leading the schedule. The conductor (der Dirigent) is masculine, just like 'der Takt' -> der Minutentakt.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine every minute a tiny train (or bus) comes by, always in the same Takt (rhythm), like music. Tick, tock, another one comes – it's a Minutentakt!

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

⚠️ Caution: Don't confuse it with 'Sekundentakt' (second frequency), which describes an even higher frequency and is less common in the context of transport schedules.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Busfahrer schlechte Laune?
Weil er ständig im Minutentakt gestört wird – von den Fahrgästen, die einsteigen wollen! 😉

(Why is the bus driver in a bad mood?
Because he's constantly being disturbed 'im Minutentakt' – by the passengers wanting to get on!)

📜 Poem about the Word

Die Stadt erwacht, die Bahn rollt an,
im Minutentakt, so ist der Plan.
Kein langes Warten, schnell ans Ziel,
das ist des Taktes hohes Spiel.
Minute um Minute, pünktlich, fort,
ein Segen für den ganzen Ort.

(The city wakes, the train rolls near,
In minute frequency, the plan is clear.
No long wait, quickly reach your place,
That's the high game of this pace.
Minute by minute, punctual, away,
A blessing for the town today.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin kein Musiker, hab' dennoch Rhythmus,
sorge im Verkehr für wenig Verdruss.
Ich bring' dich schnell von A nach B,
weil Bus und Bahn ich fahren seh' –
nicht stündlich, nein, viel öfter fast.
Wie nennt man diese Eile und Hast?

(I'm not a musician, yet I have rhythm,
In traffic, I cause little antagonism.
I take you quickly from A to B,
Because bus and train I help you see –
Not hourly, no, much more often, vast.
What do you call this speed and haste?)

(Answer: der Minutentakt)

🧩 Further Information

Word Composition:

The word 'Minutentakt' is a compound noun (Kompositum), formed from:

• Minute: Unit of time (60 seconds).
• Takt: Regular rhythm, beat, interval, frequency.

Together, it describes a rhythm or frequency that occurs within the range of minutes.