die  Anfahrt

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈanfaʁt/

🗺️ What does 'die Anfahrt' mean?

Die Anfahrt describes the journey to or approach to a specific place or destination. It refers to the act of travelling to arrive somewhere. It can encompass the route taken, the time required, or the organization of the trip towards the destination.

• Meaning 1: The process of travelling to a place (e.g., "Die Anfahrt zum Büro dauert 30 Minuten." - The journey to the office takes 30 minutes.)
• Meaning 2: The distance to be covered to reach the destination (e.g., "Wir haben noch eine lange Anfahrt vor uns." - We still have a long journey ahead of us.)
• Meaning 3: Sometimes, the access road itself (less common, e.g., "Die Anfahrt ist gut ausgeschildert." - The approach road is well signposted.)

⚠️ Important: 'Die Anfahrt' always refers to the journey towards the destination, not the return journey (that would be die Rückfahrt or die Heimfahrt) or the departure itself (die Abfahrt).

🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Declining 'die Anfahrt'

The word 'Anfahrt' is a feminine noun. Therefore, the article is always 'die'.

Example Sentences

1. Die Anfahrt zum Flughafen war stressig. (The journey to the airport was stressful.)
2. Wir berechnen eine Pauschale für die Anfahrt. (We charge a flat fee for the journey/call-out.)
3. Planen Sie genügend Zeit für die Anfahrt ein. (Allow sufficient time for the journey.)
4. Die Beschreibung der Anfahrt finden Sie auf unserer Webseite. (You can find directions for the approach on our website.)
5. Bei langen Anfahrten machen wir oft eine Pause. (On long journeys, we often take a break.)

🚗 When and how to use 'die Anfahrt'

'Die Anfahrt' is used in various contexts, mostly related to travel, routes, or reaching a location:

• Travel Planning: When talking about the time needed to get to a destination ("Die Anfahrt dauert etwa zwei Stunden." - The journey takes about two hours.).
• Directions: To describe the route to a place ("Die Anfahrt erfolgt über die Autobahn A5." - The approach is via the A5 motorway.).
• Costs: When there's a charge for travelling to a location, e.g., a service call ("Die Handwerker berechnen 50 Euro für die Anfahrt." - The craftsmen charge 50 euros for the call-out/journey.).
• Events: Providing information for visitors on how to get to the venue ("Informationen zur Anfahrt und Parkmöglichkeiten finden Sie hier." - Information on how to get here and parking options can be found here.).

Distinction from similar words:

• Abfahrt: The moment or place of departure. Opposite of Ankunft (arrival).
• Hinfahrt: Similar to Anfahrt, but often emphasizes the entire trip to a more distant destination, while Anfahrt can also be used for short distances (e.g., to the supermarket).
• Zufahrt: Usually refers specifically to the access road leading directly to a property or building.

💡 Mnemonics for 'die Anfahrt'

Article Mnemonic: Think of "the arrival" which often involves a journey. While 'arrival' isn't feminine in German (die Ankunft is), associate the 'A' of Anfahrt with the 'A' of arrival, and remember the feminine article die is needed for the journey *to* that arrival. Or link it to die Reise (the journey), which is also feminine.

Meaning Mnemonic: The prefix "An-" in German often indicates movement towards something (like in "ankommen" - to arrive). So, the An-fahrt is the journey towards ('an') the destination.

↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms for die Anfahrt

🚨 Beware of Confusion: Don't mix up 'Anfahrt' with 'Anfall' (seizure or tantrum) or 'Anschrift' (address).

😂 A Little Joke about the Journey

German: Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: "Wie war denn Ihre Anfahrt heute Morgen?" Antwortet der Mitarbeiter: "Auf zwei Rädern." Chef: "Ich meine, hatten Sie Stau?" Mitarbeiter: "Nein, mein Fahrrad hat zum Glück keinen Stauraum."

English Translation: The boss asks the new employee: "How was your journey (Anfahrt) this morning?" The employee replies: "On two wheels." Boss: "I mean, were you stuck in traffic (Stau)?" Employee: "No, luckily my bike doesn't have any storage space (Stauraum)." (It's a pun on Stau/Stauraum).

📜 The Journey in Verse

German:
Der Motor brummt, die Räder rollen,
dem Ziel entgegen, das wir wollen.
Die Anfahrt zieht sich, lang und weit,
durch Landschaft, Stadt, zu jeder Zeit.
Mal Stau, mal frei, mal Sonnenschein,
bald werden wir am Ziele sein.
Noch eine Kurve, dann ist's klar,
die Anfahrt endet, wunderbar!

English Translation:
The engine hums, the wheels do roll,
Towards the destination, our desired goal.
The journey (Anfahrt) stretches, long and wide,
Through country, city, time, and tide.
Sometimes traffic, sometimes free, sometimes sunbeams,
Soon at our destination, it seems.
One more curve, then it is clear,
The journey ends, wonderfully near!

❓ Riddle Time: What am I?

German:
Ich bin der Weg, doch nicht das Ziel,
ich koste Zeit, manchmal auch viel.
Man plant mich kurz, man plant mich lang,
bevor die Reise nimmt den Gang.
Ich führe hin, niemals zurück.
Wie heiß ich wohl, das Reisestück?

English Translation:
I am the way, but not the goal,
I cost time, sometimes take their toll.
Planned short or long, before you roam,
The journey starts towards a home.
I lead you there, never back.
What am I called, this travel track?

Solution: die Anfahrt (the journey to/approach)

⚙️ Word Breakdown: How is 'Anfahrt' formed?

The word 'Anfahrt' is a compound noun (Kompositum).

• an: Prefix/preposition indicating direction towards something or a beginning.
• Fahrt: Noun meaning the act of travelling by vehicle or a journey in general (from the verb 'fahren' - to drive/travel).

Together, the meaning is: the journey towards a place.

Trivia: In German emergency services (Rettungsdienst) or fire departments (Feuerwehr), the Einsatzfahrt or Alarmfahrt is a specific type of 'Anfahrt' to the scene of an emergency, often using sirens and flashing lights (Sondersignale).