die  Unterführung

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʊntɐˌfyːʁʊŋ/

🛤️ What does "die Unterführung" mean?

Die Unterführung (noun, feminine) refers to a structure that passes underneath another traffic area (like a road, railway line, or square). It usually serves to allow different traffic flows (e.g., pedestrians, cyclists, cars) to pass without crossing at the same level.

• Type 1: Fußgängerunterführung (Pedestrian underpass/subway): A tunnel specifically for pedestrians to safely cross a road or railway line. Often found at train stations or busy roads.
• Type 2: Straßenunterführung (Road underpass): A road that is routed underneath another road or railway line.
• Type 3: Bahnunterführung (Rail underpass): A railway line that passes underneath a road or another railway line.

⚠️ The term is sometimes used synonymously with Tunnel, but specifically denotes a passage underneath something else, whereas a Tunnel can also go through a mountain.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar of "die Unterführung" in Detail

The word "Unterführung" is a feminine noun. The article is therefore die.

Example Sentences

1. Die Fußgänger nutzen die Unterführung, um sicher auf die andere Straßenseite zu gelangen.
   The pedestrians use the underpass to get safely to the other side of the street.
2. Wegen Bauarbeiten ist die Unterführung am Bahnhof gesperrt.
   Due to construction work, the underpass at the train station is closed.
3. Die neue Straßenbahnlinie verläuft teilweise in einer Unterführung.
   The new tram line runs partly in an underpass.
4. Der Architekt plante eine helle und freundliche Unterführung.
   The architect planned a bright and friendly underpass.

🚶‍♀️ How to use "Unterführung"?

"Unterführung" is mainly used in the context of traffic, urban planning, and infrastructure.

• Sicherheit (Safety): Often built to increase the safety of pedestrians or cyclists by separating them from car traffic. (e.g., "Die Unterführung bietet einen sicheren Schulweg." - The underpass provides a safe route to school.)
• Verkehrsfluss (Traffic flow): Used to disentangle traffic flows to avoid congestion. (e.g., "Die neue Unterführung soll den Verkehrsknotenpunkt entlasten." - The new underpass is intended to relieve the traffic junction.)
• Bahnhöfe (Train stations): Very common at train stations to provide access to the platforms. (e.g., "Nehmen Sie die Unterführung zu Gleis 5." - Take the underpass to platform 5.)

Compared to Tunnel, "Unterführung" is more specific: a Tunnel can go through a mountain, while an Unterführung always goes underneath something else (road, railway line). A Passage is more general and can also be a passage through a building. A Brücke (bridge) or Überführung (overpass) is the opposite – it leads over something.

🧠 Mnemonics for "Unterführung"

Article Mnemonic: Most German nouns ending in "-ung" are feminine (die). Think: The Führung (guidance/leadership, a feminine concept in some contexts) goes under → die Unterführung.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you have to go under a big road to get to the other side safely. This specific path guidance (Führung) is the Unterführung (under-passage).

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

Related Terms:

• Kreuzung: Where paths meet at the same level (opposite of a grade-separated underpass/overpass) - an intersection.
• Rampe: Sloped access road to an underpass or overpass - a ramp.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Maulwurf die Unterführung gebaut?

Damit er endlich mal ungestört unter der Straße durchkommt! 😉

---

Why did the mole build the underpass?

So he could finally get under the road undisturbed! 😉

📜 Poem about the Unterführung

Wo Autos brausen, laut und schnell,
führt tief hinab ein Weg, ganz hell.
Die Unterführung, kühl und schlicht,
bringt Fußgänger sicher ans Licht.
Unter Beton, Stahl und Stein,
geht man hindurch, allein, zu zwein'.
Ein Schutz vor Lärm und vor Gefahr,
ist sie fürwahr, Jahr für Jahr.

---

Where cars rush by, loud and fast,
A path leads down, brightly cast.
The underpass, cool and plain,
Brings pedestrians safely to light again.
Beneath concrete, steel, and stone,
One walks through, together or alone.
Protection from noise and from harm,
It truly is, keeping us warm (safe), year by year.

❓ Riddle

Ich führe dich nach unten, tief und kühl,
weg vom lauten Verkehrsgefühl.
Ob Straße, ob Gleis, ich geh darunter durch,
damit du sicher kreuzt, ganz ohne Furcht.

Was bin ich?

Auflösung: Die Unterführung

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I lead you downwards, deep and cool,
Away from the noisy traffic's rule.
Whether road or track, I pass beneath,
So you can cross safely, without grief.

What am I?

Solution: The Unterführung (underpass/subway)

💡 Other Information

Word Composition:

"Unterführung" is a compound noun:

• unter: Preposition/adverb indicating a position below something.
• Führung: Noun (from führen - to lead), meaning guidance, direction, but here in the sense of 'guided path'.

Together, the meaning is: A path that leads underneath something else.

Trivia:

Some underpasses, especially older or poorly maintained ones, often have a bad reputation due to lack of cleanliness or lighting. Modern designs try to counteract this with brightness, art, or open designs.