die  Rundfahrt

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʁʊntˌfaːɐ̯t/

🗺️ What does "die Rundfahrt" mean?

The German noun Rundfahrt (feminine, article: die) describes a journey or trip that returns to its starting point or follows a specific circuit or route. It has several specific meanings:

• Touristic Trip: An organized trip to see sights, often in a city (Stadtrundfahrt - city tour) or region, which ends back at the starting point.
• Excursion Trip: A pleasure trip that follows a circular route, e.g., by boat or bus.
• Sporting Competition: Especially in cycling, a Rundfahrt refers to a stage race lasting several days or weeks, passing through various locations (e.g., the Tour de France).

🚨 Important: Even when referring to a sports event, the article remains die.

🧐 Grammar of "die Rundfahrt" in Detail

The noun „Rundfahrt“ is feminine. Here are the declension tables:

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

Example Sentences

1. Wir machten eine interessante Rundfahrt durch die Altstadt.
   (We took an interesting tour through the old town.)
2. Die Vorbereitung auf die große Rundfahrt war intensiv.
   (The preparation for the big tour/race was intense.)
3. Während der Rundfahrt haben wir viele Fotos gemacht.
   (During the tour, we took many photos.)
4. Die letzte Etappe der Rundfahrt entscheidet über den Gesamtsieg.
   (The last stage of the tour/race decides the overall victory.)
5. Nächstes Jahr planen wir mehrere Rundfahrten durch Europa.
   (Next year, we are planning several tours/round trips through Europe.)

🧭 How to Use "die Rundfahrt"?

„Die Rundfahrt“ is used in various contexts:

• Tourism: Very common for sightseeing tours. Example: „Die Hafenrundfahrt beginnt um 14 Uhr.“ (The harbor tour starts at 2 PM.)
• Leisure: For private trips by car, motorcycle, bicycle, or boat that tend to follow a circular route. Example: „Am Sonntag machen wir eine kleine Rundfahrt durch den Schwarzwald.“ (On Sunday, we're taking a little round trip through the Black Forest.)
• Sports: Mainly in cycling for stage races. Example: „Die Deutschland-Rundfahrt ist ein wichtiges Ereignis im Radsportkalender.“ (The Tour of Germany is an important event in the cycling calendar.)

Comparison with other words:

• Ausflug (der): (Excursion, outing) A more general term for a short trip, not necessarily circular.
• Reise (die): (Journey, travel) Usually longer and farther than a Rundfahrt, often with a specific destination (not necessarily returning to the start).
• Tour (die): Similar to Rundfahrt, but can also denote a route from A to B. Often used synonymously in cycling.

💡 Mnemonics for "Rundfahrt"

For the article: Think of die Fahrt (the journey, the drive). A Rundfahrt is a specific type of Fahrt, and Fahrt is feminine. So: die (Rund-)Fahrt.

For the meaning: Imagine driving rund (around) in a circle, making a Fahrt (trip). That's a Rundfahrt!

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Be cautious with Reise (die): A Reise (journey) is generally broader and not necessarily a round trip.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Busfahrer während der Stadtrundfahrt schlechte Laune?
(Why is the bus driver in a bad mood during the city tour?)

Weil er ständig im Kreis fährt und ihm schwindelig wird!
(Because he's constantly driving in circles and getting dizzy!)

📜 Poem about the "Rundfahrt"

Die Sonne scheint, der Bus steht klar,
für eine Rundfahrt, wunderbar.
Vorbei an Türmen, alt und grau,
wir sehen alles ganz genau.
Die Stadt zeigt sich von ihrer Pracht,
haben viel gesehen und gelacht.
Am Ende wieder, wo wir waren,
so schön kann eine Rundfahrt fahren.

(The sun shines, the bus stands ready,
for a round trip, wonderful already.
Past towers, old and grey,
we see everything clearly today.
The city shows its splendor bright,
have seen much and laughed with delight.
In the end, back where we began,
so nice a round trip can be, man.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich führe dich im Kreis herum,
mal schnell, mal langsam, niemals stumm.
Zeig dir die Stadt, das Land, das Meer,
und bring dich zum Startpunkt wieder her.
Im Sport bin ich ein langes Rennen,
Radfahrer mich beim Namen nennen.

Was bin ich?

(I lead you around in a circle,
sometimes fast, sometimes slow, never silent.
I show you the city, the country, the sea,
and bring you back to the starting point.
In sports, I am a long race,
Cyclists call me by my name.)

What am I?

Solution: die Rundfahrt

🧩 Other Information

Word Composition

The word „Rundfahrt“ is composed of:

• rund: Adjective or adverb meaning 'round' or describing a circular motion or completeness.
• Fahrt (die): Noun meaning 'journey', 'drive', or 'trip'.

Together, they form the meaning of a trip that goes 'around', typically returning to the starting point or covering a set route.

Famous Rundfahrten (Cycle Races)

• Tour de France (Frankreich-Rundfahrt)
• Giro d'Italia (Italien-Rundfahrt)
• Vuelta a España (Spanien-Rundfahrt)