die / das  Tram

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/tʁam/

🚋 What does 'Tram' mean?

The German word Tram refers to a public transport vehicle that runs on rails within a city, known in English as a tram or streetcar. It's a short form of Trambahn.

The article usage varies regionally:

• die Tram (feminine): Predominantly used in Germany. This is the most common form.
• das Tram (neuter): Mainly used in Austria and Switzerland.

🚨 Attention: Although both articles exist, it's important to use the regionally common article to sound natural. In Germany, 'die Tram' is the standard.

🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Die or Das Tram?

Depending on the article used ('die' or 'das'), the declension changes. Here are the tables for both versions:

Declension: die Tram (feminine)

Declension: das Tram (neuter)

Example Sentences

• Die Tram kommt gleich um die Ecke. (The tram is coming around the corner right away. - Germany)
• Ich nehme lieber die Tram als den Bus. (I prefer taking the tram over the bus. - Germany)
• Wartet ihr auf das Tram nach Hütteldorf? (Are you waiting for the tram to Hütteldorf? - Austria)
• In Zürich fährt das Tram sehr pünktlich. (In Zurich, the tram runs very punctually. - Switzerland)
• Die meisten Städte haben heute moderne Trams. (Most cities have modern trams today. - Plural, both regions)

When to use Tram? 🚃

The word 'Tram' is used in everyday language for the Straßenbahn (streetcar). It's shorter and often more informal than 'Straßenbahn'.

• Everyday Speech: 'Ich fahre mit der/dem Tram zur Arbeit.' (I take the tram to work.)
• Regionalism: As mentioned, 'die Tram' is more common in Germany, and 'das Tram' in Austria/Switzerland. However, both are understood everywhere.
• Distinction: 'Tram' specifically refers to rail-bound streetcars, not subways (die U-Bahn) or suburban trains (die S-Bahn).

Compared to 'Straßenbahn', 'Tram' often sounds more modern or international, although both terms can be used synonymously.

💡 How to Remember 'die/das Tram'

For the articles: Remember that 'die Bahn' (train/railway) is feminine. Since a tram is a type of 'Bahn', die Tram fits well for Germany. For Austria/Switzerland: Maybe think of 'das Fahrzeug' (the vehicle) which is neuter -> das Tram. (It's a stretch, but might help!)

For the meaning: The word sounds like the English 'tram'. Imagine a streetcar 'tram-pling' along the tracks (even though it's quiet!). Tram = streetcar/tram.

Similar and Opposite Words for Tram

⚠️ Watch out for confusion: 'Die Bahn' can refer generally to railways, the German national railway company (DB), or even a single lane. 'Tram' is specific to the streetcar.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Schaffner in der Tram: „Ist hier noch frei?“ Antwortet ein Fahrgast: „Ja, aber besetzt!“

Translation: The conductor on the tram asks: "Is this seat free?" A passenger replies: "Yes, but occupied!" (A play on words, as 'frei' can mean free/available and 'besetzt' means occupied).

📜 A Tram Ode

Ob 'die' ob 'das', ist nicht so schwer,
Die Tram, sie fährt doch hin und her.
Auf Schienen gleitet sie durchs Land,
Verbindet Stadt mit Straßenrand.
Mal pünktlich, mal mit viel Gebimmel,
Bringt sie uns unter Alltags-Himmel.

Translation:
Whether 'die' or 'das', it's not so hard,
The tram, it travels back and forth.
On rails it glides across the land,
Connecting city with the street's strand.
Sometimes on time, sometimes with dinging sound,
It takes us under everyday sky's ground.

🧩 Who or What am I?

Ich fahre auf Schienen, doch bin keine Eisenbahn.
Ich halte oft an, bring dich durch die Stadt voran.
In Deutschland sagt man meist 'die' zu mir,
In Österreich und Schweiz oft 'das', glaub es mir.

Was bin ich? ... Die Tram / Das Tram

Translation:
I run on rails, but am not a railway train.
I stop often, taking you through the city again.
In Germany, they mostly say 'die' for me,
In Austria and Switzerland often 'das', believe me.

What am I?
... The Tram

Tram Trivia 🤓

Etymology: The word 'Tram' comes from the English word 'tramway', which originally (in mining) referred to a rail track for wagons. It was later applied to the urban streetcar.

Plural: The most common plural is 'die Trams'. Occasionally, you might hear 'die Tramen'.