die  Durchfahrt

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈdʊʁçfaʁt/

🚗 What does "die Durchfahrt" mean?

The word die Durchfahrt (feminine) primarily describes two things in German:

• 1. The possibility or permission to drive through a specific area: This often refers to streets, paths, properties, or gates that serve as a passage. For example, one might speak of a freie Durchfahrt (clear passage) or a verbotene Durchfahrt (passage prohibited), often indicated by a traffic sign 🚫.
• 2. The act of driving through itself: Meaning the action of passing through an area with a vehicle (car, bicycle, etc.). Example: "Die Durchfahrt durch den Tunnel dauerte nur wenige Minuten." (The passage through the tunnel only took a few minutes.)

There is only the feminine article die for this word. There are no common sources of error regarding the article.

📜 Grammar of "die Durchfahrt" in Detail

"Durchfahrt" is a feminine noun. Here is its declension:

Example Sentences

1. Die Durchfahrt ist für LKW gesperrt.
   (Passage is prohibited for trucks.)
2. Während der Durchfahrt des Präsidenten war die Straße blockiert.
   (During the president's passage, the street was blocked.)
3. Dem Radfahrer wurde bei der Durchfahrt Vorrang gewährt.
   (The cyclist was given priority during passage.)
4. Wir suchen eine freie Durchfahrt zum Strand.
   (We are looking for a clear passage/thoroughfare to the beach.)
5. Es gibt mehrere Durchfahrten durch den Park.
   (There are several passages/ways through the park.)

🚦 How and When to Use "Durchfahrt"

"Durchfahrt" is very commonly used in the context of traffic and access.

• Traffic Signs: The sign "Durchfahrt verboten" (🚫 - No Thoroughfare / Passage Prohibited) is a classic example. It means you are not allowed to drive through this area, although Anlieger (residents, delivery services) are often exempt ("Anlieger frei" - Residents Free / Access for Residents).
• Properties & Paths: People talk about the Durchfahrt through a gate, across private property, or through a courtyard. "Bitte halten Sie die Durchfahrt frei!" (Please keep the passage clear!) is a common request.
• The Act Itself: It can also simply describe the act of passing through: "Seine schnelle Durchfahrt überraschte uns." (His quick passage surprised us.)

Difference from similar words:

• Durchgang: Refers more to walking through or a passage for pedestrians.
• Zufahrt: Describes the way to a place, not necessarily through it.
• Passage: Can be used similarly to Durchfahrt, but is somewhat more general and can also refer to covered walkways or sea passages.

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Durchfahrt"

For the article: Think of die Fahrt (the drive, the journey). A Durchfahrt is a type of Fahrt, and "die Fahrt" is feminine. Therefore: die Durchfahrt.

For the meaning: Imagine driving your car durch (through) an archway. That's the Durchfahrt. You drive durch.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Be careful with Einfahrt (entrance) vs. Ausfahrt (exit) vs. Durchfahrt (thoroughfare). An Einfahrt leads in, an Ausfahrt leads out, a Durchfahrt leads through (implying an entrance and an exit at different ends).

😂 A Little Joke

German: Warum hat das Auto vor der Bäckerei angehalten, obwohl "Durchfahrt verboten" dranstand?
- Es wollte nur kurz Brötchen holen, keine lange Durchfahrt machen! 😉

English: Why did the car stop in front of the bakery even though the sign said "Durchfahrt verboten" (Passage Prohibited)?
- It only wanted to quickly grab some bread rolls, not make a long passage! 😉

📜 A Poem about Durchfahrt

German:
Ein Schild am Tor, ganz klar und schlicht,
verbietet hier das Fahrtenlicht.
"Keine Durchfahrt!", ruft es laut,
wer trotzdem fährt, hat's nicht geschaut.
Doch manchmal, leis' und kaum zu seh'n,
steht "Anlieger frei" – dann darf man geh'n,
oder fahren, durch den engen Raum,
die Durchfahrt wird zum kleinen Traum.

English:
A sign at the gate, quite clear and plain,
Forbids the driving light's domain.
"No passage here!" it calls aloud,
Who drives regardless, missed the cloud.
But sometimes, quiet and barely seen,
Stands "Residents free" – a path serene,
To drive or walk, through narrow space,
The thoroughfare, a tiny grace.

❓ Riddle Time

German:
Ich bin ein Weg, doch nicht zum Gehen nur gedacht,
ich führe hindurch, bei Tag und Nacht.
Ein Schild kann mich verbieten, rot und rund,
doch manchmal bin ich frei für einen guten Grund.
Man fährt mich mit dem Auto oder Rad,
was bin ich, dieser nützliche Pfad?

English:
I am a way, but not just meant for feet,
I lead right through, by day and night you meet.
A sign can ban me, often round and red,
But sometimes I am free for reasons said.
You travel me by car or bicycle's speed,
What am I, this useful path indeed?

Solution: die Durchfahrt (the passage/thoroughfare)

➕ Other Information

Word Composition:

The word "Durchfahrt" is a compound noun:

• durch (preposition/adverb, here as a prefix): indicates movement through something.
• Fahrt (noun): the act of driving or travelling, or the journey itself.

Together, they form the meaning of a drive through something.

In Daily Life: The word is particularly relevant for drivers, cyclists, and residents who need to pay attention to access regulations.