die
Landebahn
🛫 What Exactly is a Landebahn?
The German word Landebahn (feminine, article: die) refers to a prepared surface at an airport, either paved or unpaved, designated for the landing of aircraft. In English, this is commonly called a runway.
In everyday language, it's often used interchangeably with Startbahn (takeoff runway), although technically, the Startbahn is for takeoff and the Landebahn is for landing. However, many runways are used for both (Start- und Landebahn).
🚨 Important: The article is always 'die' because the base word 'die Bahn' (track, path, lane) is feminine.
Grammar Insights: Declining die Landebahn
Landebahn is a feminine noun. Here is its declension (Deklination):
Singular
| Case (Kasus) | Definite Article (Bestimmter Artikel) | Indefinite Article (Unbestimmter Artikel) |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | die Landebahn | eine Landebahn (a runway) |
| Genitive (Whose?) | der Landebahn | einer Landebahn (of a runway) |
| Dative (To whom/What?) | der Landebahn | einer Landebahn (to/for a runway) |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | die Landebahn | eine Landebahn (a runway) |
Plural
| Case (Kasus) | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Landebahnen | - Landebahnen (runways) |
| Genitive | der Landebahnen | - Landebahnen (of runways) |
| Dative | den Landebahnen | - Landebahnen (to/for runways) |
| Accusative | die Landebahnen | - Landebahnen (runways) |
Example Sentences (Beispielsätze)
- Das Flugzeug setzte sicher auf der Landebahn auf.
The plane touched down safely on the runway. - Wegen Nebels war die Landebahn gesperrt.
The runway was closed due to fog. - Der Flughafen verfügt über drei Landebahnen.
The airport has three runways. - Die Beleuchtung der Landebahn funktionierte einwandfrei.
The lighting of the runway worked perfectly.
Using Landebahn in Context
Landebahn is primarily used in the context of aviation and airports.
- Context: Discussions about air travel (Flugreisen), airport operations (Flughafenbetrieb), aircraft technology (Flugzeugtechnik), air safety (Luftsicherheit).
- Usage: Used to describe the specific strip where planes land.
- Distinction from similar terms:
- Startbahn: Technically the runway for takeoff. Often used synonymously or as part of 'Start- und Landebahn' (takeoff and landing runway).
- Piste: A common synonym for Landebahn/Startbahn, especially in general conversation.
- Rollbahn/Rollweg: These are the taxiways used by aircraft to move between the terminal, gates, and the runway. They are not intended for takeoff or landing.
Remembering die Landebahn
Mnemonic for the Article (die)
Think of the runway as a long 'lane' or 'track'. In German, 'lane'/'track' is 'die Bahn', which is feminine. So, the 'landing lane' (Landebahn) is also feminine: die Landebahn. Imagine an elegant flight attendant (die Stewardess) guiding the plane onto die Bahn.
Mnemonic for the Meaning (Runway)
Break it down: 'Landen' means 'to land'. 'Bahn' means 'track' or 'path'. So, a Landebahn is literally a 'landing track' for planes.
Synonyms, Antonyms, and Similar Terms
Synonyms (Synonyme)
Potentially Confusing Words
A Little Airport Humor 😄
DE: Fragt der Passagier den Piloten: "Ist das nicht eine sehr kurze Landebahn?"
Pilot: "Ja, aber schauen Sie mal, wie breit sie ist!"
EN: The passenger asks the pilot: "Isn't this a very short runway?"
Pilot: "Yes, but look how wide it is!"
Ode to the Runway
DE:
Ein Streifen grau, so lang und breit,
wartet auf die Ankunftszeit.
Räder rauchen, Gummi quietscht,
wenn der Stahlvogel niederfliegt.
Du trägst die Last, gibst festen Grund,
die Landebahn, zu jeder Stund'.
Sicher landen, das ist dein Plan,
du treue, gute Landebahn.
EN:
A strip of grey, so long and wide,
awaits the arrival time inside.
Wheels smoke, rubber squeals,
as the steel bird downward wheels.
You bear the load, give solid ground,
the runway, always safe and sound.
A safe landing, that's your plan,
you faithful, trusty runway span.
Airport Riddle Time! 🤔
DE:
Ich bin lang und flach, oft aus Beton gemacht.
Flugzeuge kommen aus der Luft bei Tag und Nacht.
Sie brauchen mich, um sicher anzukommen,
haben sie die lange Reise unternommen.
Wer bin ich?
EN:
I am long and flat, often made of concrete.
Planes arrive from the sky, day and night, oh so neat.
They need me to arrive safely on the ground,
after their long journey can be found.
What am I?
Answer: Die Landebahn (The runway)
More Facts about the Landebahn 💡
Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung)
The word 'Landebahn' is a compound noun (Kompositum), made up of:
- Landen: The verb meaning 'to land'.
- Die Bahn: Meaning 'track', 'path', or 'lane'. Since 'Bahn' is feminine, 'Landebahn' is also feminine.
Trivia
- Runways (Landebahnen) have specific markings and lights to help pilots with orientation and landing, especially at night or in bad weather.
- The orientation of runways is often determined by compass directions (e.g., runway 09/27 points East/West).
- The world's longest civilian runway is at Qamdo Bamda Airport in Tibet, measuring over 5.5 km (3.4 miles), necessary due to the thin air at high altitude.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Landebahn?
The German word Landebahn is feminine. The correct article is die Landebahn. It refers to the runway where aircraft land. The gender is determined by the base word 'die Bahn'.