die
Autobahnbrücke
🌉 What exactly is an *Autobahnbrücke*?
The German word die Autobahnbrücke (feminine, plural: *die Autobahnbrücken*) means 'motorway bridge' or 'highway bridge'. It refers to a structure that either carries a motorway (*Autobahn*) over an obstacle (like a river, valley, another road, or railway line) or carries another traffic route over a motorway.
It's a compound noun made up of:
Since the base word *Brücke* is feminine (*die Brücke*), the compound word *Autobahnbrücke* is also feminine (*die Autobahnbrücke*). There are no other articles for this word. ⚠️ Always use *'die'*.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
📚 Grammar in Detail: *Die Autobahnbrücke*
The word *Autobahnbrücke* is a feminine noun. The definite article is always *'die'*. Here is its declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Autobahnbrücke |
| Genitive | der | Autobahnbrücke |
| Dative | der | Autobahnbrücke |
| Accusative | die | Autobahnbrücke |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Autobahnbrücken |
| Genitive | der | Autobahnbrücken |
| Dative | den | Autobahnbrücken |
| Accusative | die | Autobahnbrücken |
Example Sentences
- Die neue Autobahnbrücke wurde gestern für den Verkehr freigegeben.
(The new motorway bridge was opened to traffic yesterday.) - Wegen Reparaturarbeiten ist die Autobahnbrücke teilweise gesperrt.
(Due to repair work, the motorway bridge is partially closed.) - Von der Autobahnbrücke hat man einen tollen Ausblick auf das Tal.
(From the motorway bridge, you have a great view of the valley.) - Wir fuhren unter mehreren Autobahnbrücken hindurch.
(We drove underneath several motorway bridges.)
🗣️ How to Use *'Autobahnbrücke'*?
The term *Autobahnbrücke* is used quite specifically in German:
- In traffic reports (*im Verkehrsfunk*): You often hear about traffic jams (*Staus*) or closures (*Sperrungen*) related to a specific *Autobahnbrücke*.
- In the news (*in Nachrichten*): Reports about the construction, renovation, or risk of collapse of *Autobahnbrücken* are common.
- In route planning (*bei der Routenplanung*): People mention it when describing a route or asking for directions ("*Fahren Sie über die große Autobahnbrücke...*" - *Drive over the big motorway bridge...*).
- In engineering and construction (*im Ingenieurwesen und Bauwesen*): Professionals use the term during planning, building, and maintenance.
It's a very common and unambiguous word in German for this type of structure.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article *'die'*: The base word is *Brücke* (bridge). Think of a bridge gracefully spanning something, perhaps like a sophisticated lady (feminine!). So: *die Brücke* -> *die Autobahnbrücke*. Many words ending in '-e' are feminine, and *Brücke* fits this pattern.
Meaning: Imagine driving on the *Autobahn* and coming to a huge *Brücke*. What is it? An *Autobahnbrücke*! Just combine the parts: *Autobahn* + *Brücke* = *motorway bridge*.
🔄 Synonyms and Related Terms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Autobahnüberführung: Often used synonymously, but technically refers more to a bridge that goes *over* the motorway (an overpass), not necessarily carrying the motorway itself.
- Hochstraße: Can sometimes mean a long motorway bridge or an elevated motorway section, but is more general (*high road*).
- Viadukt: Often refers to a long bridge crossing a valley (*Talbrücke*), which can also be an *Autobahnbrücke*.
Antonyms/Related Concepts (opposite or different concept):
- Autobahntunnel: Goes *under* an obstacle instead of over it (*motorway tunnel*).
- Unterführung: A passage *under* a motorway (or road/railway) (*underpass*).
- Autobahnabschnitt (auf dem Boden): The section of the motorway that is on the ground, not on a bridge.
😂 A Little Joke
Warum nehmen Ameisen immer die Autobahnbrücke?
Damit sie nicht unter die Räder kommen! 😄
(Why do ants always take the motorway bridge?)
(So they don't get run over! [Literally: 'come under the wheels']) 😄
📜 Poem about an *Autobahnbrücke*
Beton und Stahl, ein kühner Bogen,
hoch über Tal und Fluss gezogen.
Darüber rauscht der schnelle Strom,
der Autos Flut, wie Donnerdom.
Die Autobahnbrücke, stark und breit,
verbindet Orte, spart die Zeit.
(Concrete and steel, a bold arch,
drawn high above valley and river.
Above it rushes the fast stream,
the flood of cars, like a thunderous dome.
The motorway bridge, strong and wide,
connects places, saves time.)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich trage schnelle Straßen schwer,
mal über Wasser, Land und Heer.
Ich bin kein Tunnel, tief und grau,
sondern ein luftiger Betonbau.
Wer bin ich?... Die Autobahnbrücke
(I carry fast roads heavily,
sometimes over water, land, and army [used poetically for 'ground'].
I am no tunnel, deep and grey,
but an airy concrete structure.
What am I?
... *The Autobahnbrücke*)
💡 Other Interesting Facts
Word Composition:
- Auto (*das*) - car
- Bahn (*die*) - track, path, railway -> Autobahn (*die*) - motorway
- Brücke (*die*) - bridge
Combined: Autobahn + Brücke = Autobahnbrücke (*die*)
Trivia:
- Many motorway bridges in Germany (*Autobahnbrücken*) are named after famous people or geographical features (e.g., *die Kochertalbrücke*).
- The condition of many German *Autobahnbrücken* is a frequent topic in the news, as many require renovation.
📝 Summary: Is it *der, die* or *das Autobahnbrücke*?
The word *Autobahnbrücke* is always feminine. The correct article is die Autobahnbrücke. This is because the core noun is *die Brücke* (the bridge).