die  Einfahrt

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaɪ̯nfaʁt/

🚗 What does "die Einfahrt" mean?

Die Einfahrt (feminine) mainly describes two things:

• 1. The Driveway / Entrance Way: The area used by vehicles to drive onto a property, into a garage, a courtyard, or onto grounds. Examples: die Hofeinfahrt (courtyard entrance), die Garageneinfahrt (garage entrance).
• 2. The Act of Entering: The action of driving into somewhere. Example: die Einfahrt des Zuges in den Bahnhof (the train's entrance into the station).

⚠️ Be careful not to confuse die Einfahrt with der Eingang (entrance for people on foot), although they might be physically close.

🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Die Einfahrt

The noun "Einfahrt" is feminine. Here is its declension:

Example Sentences:

1. Die Einfahrt zum Parkplatz ist sehr eng. (The entrance to the parking lot is very narrow.)
2. Wegen der blockierten Einfahrt mussten wir woanders parken. (Because of the blocked driveway, we had to park elsewhere.)
3. Das Auto steht direkt vor der Einfahrt. (The car is right in front of the driveway.)
4. Bitte halten Sie die Einfahrt frei! (Please keep the driveway clear!)
5. Das Unternehmen hat mehrere Einfahrten zu seinem Gelände. (The company has several entrances to its premises.)

🚦 When to use "die Einfahrt"?

"Die Einfahrt" is used in various contexts:

• In Road Traffic: Describes the point where you turn off a road, e.g., into a side street, a parking lot, or onto a property. Signs like "Einfahrt freihalten!" (Keep entrance clear!) are typical here.
• For Buildings and Properties: Refers to the path or area used for vehicles to enter (e.g., Hauseinfahrt - house driveway, Tiefgarageneinfahrt - underground garage entrance).
• At Stations/Ports: Can also refer to the arrival or entry of a train or ship (e.g., Die Einfahrt des ICE verzögert sich - The ICE train's arrival is delayed.).

Comparison:

• Die Einfahrt vs. Die Zufahrt (access road): Often used synonymously when referring to the path. "Zufahrt" perhaps emphasizes the access route itself slightly more.
• Die Einfahrt vs. Der Eingang (entrance): "Einfahrt" is for vehicles, "Eingang" is for people on foot.
• Die Einfahrt vs. Die Ausfahrt (exit): The opposite – for driving out.

🧠 Memory Aids for "die Einfahrt"

For the Article: Think of die Straße (the street) or die Garage (the garage) into which (die) you drive. Many feminine nouns end in -t, like Fahrt, Sicht, Nacht. The Fahrt (drive/journey) leads into die Einfahrt.

For the Meaning: "Ein-fahrt" = You fährst (drive) ein (in) somewhere.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Potential for Confusion: Der Einfall (idea, incidence of light) sounds similar but has a completely different meaning.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum stellt der Vogel sein Nest nie in die Einfahrt?

Damit es nicht aus-fährt! 😄

(Why does the bird never put its nest in the driveway? - So it doesn't 'drive out'! - A pun on 'ausfahren' (to drive out) and potentially 'ausfallen' (to fall out)).

📜 Poem about the Einfahrt

Die Einfahrt, breit und grau,
führt zum Haus, schau, schau!
Autos rollen rein und raus,
Tag für Tag, welch ein Gebraus.
Halte sie frei, das ist die Pflicht,
sonst gibt's Ärger, ganz schlicht.

(The driveway, wide and gray,
leads to the house, look, look!
Cars roll in and out,
Day after day, what a bustle.
Keep it clear, that is the duty,
otherwise, there's trouble, quite simply.)

❓ Riddle

Ich bin ein Weg, doch keine lange Reise.
Ich führe hin, auf leise oder laute Weise.
Autos nutzen mich, um anzukommen,
hab' oft ein Schild, ganz unbenommen.
Ich bin das Gegenteil vom Weg hinaus.
Was bin ich wohl, vor deinem Haus?

(I am a path, but not a long journey.
I lead towards, quietly or loudly.
Cars use me to arrive,
Often have a sign, quite plainly.
I am the opposite of the way out.
What am I, in front of your house?)

Solution: die Einfahrt

💡 Other Information

Word Composition:

"Einfahrt" is a compound noun:

• ein- (prefix, meaning 'in' or 'into' here)
• Fahrt (noun, from 'fahren' - to drive/travel)

So it literally describes the "in-drive" or "driving in".

Cultural Note: In Germany, keeping driveways (Einfahrten) clear is regulated by law (Straßenverkehrsordnung - StVO). Blocking an Einfahrt can result in a fine or having the vehicle towed.