die  Abfahrt

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈapˌfaʁt/

🏁 What does 'die Abfahrt' really mean?

The word die Abfahrt is a feminine noun in German with several meanings:

• 🚌 Departure: The time or act of leaving a place, often referring to transport like trains, buses, or ships. Example: Die Abfahrt des Zuges ist um 10:00 Uhr. (The train's departure is at 10:00 AM.)
• ⛷️ Downhill run (skiing): A slope or course leading downhill; also the discipline of skiing downhill fast. Example: Die Abfahrt war sehr steil und eisig. (The downhill run was very steep and icy.) Er gewann das Rennen in der Abfahrt. (He won the downhill race.)
• 🛣️ Motorway exit / Off-ramp: A road leading away from a motorway or expressway. It's synonymous with 'Ausfahrt' in this context. Example: Wir müssen die nächste Abfahrt nehmen. (We have to take the next exit.)

⚠️ Pay attention to the context to understand the correct meaning!

📉 Grammar: Declining 'die Abfahrt'

Die Abfahrt is a feminine noun. Its declension is as follows:

Example Sentences for Grammar

• Nominative: Die Abfahrt verzögert sich um wenige Minuten. (The departure is delayed by a few minutes.)
• Genitive: Wegen der Abfahrt des letzten Busses mussten wir ein Taxi nehmen. (Because of the last bus's departure, we had to take a taxi.)
• Dative: Vor der Abfahrt trinken wir noch einen Kaffee. (Before the departure, we'll have another coffee.)
• Accusative: Er hat die Abfahrt verpasst. (He missed the exit / the departure.)
• Plural: Auf dieser Autobahn gibt es viele Abfahrten. (There are many exits on this motorway.)

When to use 'die Abfahrt'? Context & Tips

The use of die Abfahrt strongly depends on the context:

• In a travel context: When talking about trains, buses, ships, 'Abfahrt' is used for the starting point of the journey. "Die Abfahrt ist auf Gleis 5." (The departure is on platform 5.) Sometimes 'Abreise' is used, but 'Abfahrt' is more specific to the mode of transport.
• In winter sports: Here, 'Abfahrt' refers to the downhill slope or the racing discipline. "Die schwarze Abfahrt ist nur für Profis." (The black downhill run is only for experts.)
• In road traffic: On motorways (Autobahnen) and expressways, 'Abfahrt' is synonymous with 'Ausfahrt' (exit). "Nehmen Sie die Abfahrt 'Zentrum'." (Take the exit 'Centre'.)

Potential Confusion:

• Abreise (die): Refers more generally to leaving a place (e.g., hotel, city), not specifically the means of transport. "Unsere Abreise ist morgen früh." (Our departure is tomorrow morning.)
• Start (der): General term for 'start', also used in races (Formula 1, running), but in skiing, 'Abfahrt' is more common for the downhill race itself.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Abfahrt'

Remembering the article (die)

Think of 'die Fahrt' (the journey/drive). Most German nouns ending in '-fahrt' are feminine (die Fahrt, die Hinfahrt, die Rückfahrt, die Schifffahrt...). So, it's also die Abfahrt! Picture a woman (feminine 'die') elegantly skiing down the slope or departing on time. 👠⛷️

Remembering the meanings (Departure, Ski Run, Exit)

Imagine this journey: You're at the station, ready for Abfahrt (departure). Then you ski down the Abfahrt (downhill run). Finally, you take the Abfahrt (exit ramp) off the motorway to get home. One trip, three kinds of 'Abfahrt'! 🚂➡️⛷️➡️🛣️

🔄 Similar and Opposite Words

Watch out! Confusing words:

• Anfahrt (die): The opposite – the journey towards a place.
• Durchfahrt (die): Driving through a place without stopping.

😂 A little Fun with Abfahrt

Warum nehmen Skelette nie die steilste Ski-Abfahrt?
Weil sie nicht den nötigen Mumm in den Knochen haben! 🦴⛷️

(Why do skeletons never take the steepest ski run?
Because they don't have the guts (literally: 'courage in their bones')!)

📜 A Poem for Abfahrt

Die Uhr zeigt an, es ist so weit,
Der Zug steht schnaufend schon bereit.
Noch ein Kuss, ein letzter Blick,
Die Abfahrt naht, kein Weg zurück.

Am Berg, da lockt der weiße Hang,
Ein Schwung, ein Jauchzer, stundenlang.
Die Abfahrt ruft, der Schnee staubt fein,
So soll ein Wintertag wohl sein.

Die Autobahn, ein graues Band,
Man sucht das Schild mit sich'rer Hand.
Da! Endlich kommt sie nun in Sicht,
Die Abfahrt bringt das ersehnte Licht.

(The clock shows, the time is near,
The train stands puffing, ready here.
One more kiss, a final gaze,
The departure looms, through hazy days.

On mountains high, the white slope calls,
A swing, a cheer, till evening falls.
The downhill run calls, snow flies fine,
A perfect winter day's design.

The motorway, a ribbon grey,
One seeks the sign to find the way.
There! Finally, it comes in sight,
The exit brings the longed-for light.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin ein Start, doch auch ein Hang,
Manchmal auf Schienen, manchmal im Schwung.
Von Autobahnen führ' ich fort.
Was bin ich wohl, an jedem Ort?

(I am a start, but also a slope,
Sometimes on rails, sometimes with hope (of speed).
From motorways, I lead away.
What am I then, come what may?)

Solution: die Abfahrt

🧐 More about 'die Abfahrt'

Word Composition

The word Abfahrt is composed of:

• Prefix ab-: expresses separation, removal, or a beginning (like in abschneiden - to cut off, abreisen - to depart).
• Root word Fahrt (die): journey, drive, ride.

Together, they signify a journey leading away from something or starting.

Cultural Note

Punctuality regarding the 'Abfahrt' of public transport is often expected in Germany. Delays are usually announced.