die  Fahrbahn

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈfaːɐ̯ˌbaːn/

🚗 What exactly is 'die Fahrbahn'?

Die Fahrbahn refers to the part of a Straße (street or road) that is intended for vehicle traffic. It's the area where cars, trucks, motorcycles, and often bicycles travel. It is typically paved (e.g., with asphalt or cobblestones) and separated from other areas like Gehwege (sidewalks) or Seitenstreifen (shoulders).

Sometimes, a Fahrbahn is divided into several Fahrspuren (lanes).

Since the word only takes the article 'die', there are no different meanings based on the article.

📐 Grammar: 'Die Fahrbahn' in Detail

The noun 'Fahrbahn' is feminine. The article is therefore always 'die'. Here are the declension tables:

Singular

Plural

Example Sentences

• Die Fahrbahn war wegen eines Unfalls gesperrt.
  (The roadway was closed due to an accident.)
• Die Breite der Fahrbahn reichte kaum für zwei Autos.
  (The width of the roadway was barely enough for two cars.)
• Auf der glatten Fahrbahn rutschte das Auto.
  (The car slipped on the slippery roadway.)
• Die Bauarbeiter erneuern die Fahrbahn.
  (The construction workers are renewing the roadway.)
• Breite Fahrbahnen sind typisch für Autobahnen.
  (Wide roadways are typical for highways/motorways.)
• Die Markierungen der Fahrbahnen müssen erneuert werden.
  (The markings of the roadways need to be renewed.)
• Auf allen Fahrbahnen staute sich der Verkehr.
  (Traffic jammed on all roadways/lanes.)
• Man muss beim Überqueren auf die Fahrbahnen achten.
  (One must pay attention to the roadways when crossing.)

🚦 When and how to use 'Fahrbahn'?

'Fahrbahn' is mainly used in the context of road traffic, road construction, and traffic regulations. It is a somewhat technical or official term.

• Distinction from 'Straße': A Straße (street, road) is the entire traffic route, which often includes sidewalks (Gehwege), bike paths (Radwege), and green strips. The Fahrbahn is specifically the part for vehicles.
• Distinction from 'Fahrspur': A Fahrspur (lane) is a marked part of a Fahrbahn intended for a single line of vehicles. A Fahrbahn can therefore have one or more Fahrspuren.
• Distinction from 'Gehweg': The Gehweg (sidewalk, pavement) is intended for pedestrians and is located next to the Fahrbahn.

Common collocations include 'nasse Fahrbahn' (wet roadway), 'Fahrbahnmarkierungen' (road markings), 'Fahrbahnverengung' (road narrowing), or 'Gegenfahrbahn' (oncoming lane/opposite carriageway). In everyday language, people often just say 'Straße' when the context is clear.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Fahrbahn'

Mnemonic for the article 'die':

Think of 'die Bahn' (like die Eisenbahn - the railway), which you can 'fahren' (drive/travel) on. Many German words ending in '-bahn' are feminine: die Autobahn (motorway), die Straßenbahn (tram), die Startbahn (runway)... and therefore also die Fahrbahn.

Mnemonic for the meaning:

What do you do on the Fahrbahn? You fahren (drive). It's the Bahn (path, track, way) for driving. Simple!

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

😄 A Little Joke about the Fahrbahn

German: Warum überquerte das Huhn die Fahrbahn?

Antwort: Um auf die andere Spur zu kommen!

English Translation: Why did the chicken cross the roadway?

Answer: To get to the other lane! (A play on 'other side' / 'other lane' = andere Spur)

📜 Poem about the Fahrbahn

German:
Asphaltgrau, breit und lang,
zieht sich die Fahrbahn, ohne Zwang.
Reifen summen, Motoren brummen,
auf ihr die Fahrzeuge nur rummeln.
Linien weiß, als klare Spur,
auf dieser wichtigen Struktur.
Sie trägt den Strom, bei Tag und Nacht,
hat uns schon oft ans Ziel gebracht.

English Translation:
Asphalt grey, wide and long,
Stretches the roadway, without throng.
Tires hum, engines drone,
On it the vehicles just roam.
Lines of white, as a clear trace,
Upon this important space.
It carries the flow, by day and night,
Has often brought us to our goal's light.

❓ Riddle

German:
Ich habe Spuren, aber keine Füße.
Ich trage Lasten, schwer und süße.
Autos rollen auf mir hin und her,
doch bin ich selbst kein Lebewesen mehr.

Was bin ich?

Lösung: die Fahrbahn

English Translation:
I have tracks/lanes (Spuren), but no feet.
I carry loads, heavy and sweet.
Cars roll on me back and forth,
Yet I am myself no living worth.

What am I?

Solution: the roadway (die Fahrbahn)

ℹ️ Interesting Facts

Word Composition

The word 'Fahrbahn' is a compound noun, composed of:

• fahren: The verb to drive, to travel by vehicle.
• Bahn (die): Here in the sense of track, path, way, lane.

So, it literally means 'the path/track for driving'.

Trivia

• In Germany, the Straßenverkehrs-Ordnung (StVO) (Road Traffic Regulations) specifies who is allowed to use the Fahrbahn and how to behave on it.
• The condition of the Fahrbahn (grip, evenness) is crucial for road safety.