die  Weiterfahrt

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈvaɪ̯tɐˌfaʁt/

🗺️ What does 'die Weiterfahrt' mean?

Die Weiterfahrt (noun, feminine) refers to the continuation of a journey or trip after an interruption. It signifies the act of driving/traveling onward or the permission to do so.

The word is composed of weiter (adverb, meaning 'further' or 'onward') and die Fahrt (noun, feminine, meaning 'journey', 'trip', or 'drive'). Since die Fahrt is feminine, die Weiterfahrt is also feminine.

There are no different meanings based on different articles, as 'Weiterfahrt' always uses the article 'die'.

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Weiterfahrt

The noun 'Weiterfahrt' is feminine. It is mostly used in the singular.

Declension Singular

A plural form ('die Weiterfahrten') is grammatically possible but very rarely used, as one usually talks about a specific continuation of a single journey.

Example Sentences

• Nach einer kurzen Pause erlaubte der Busfahrer die Weiterfahrt.
  (After a short break, the bus driver allowed the onward journey.)
• Die Polizei sperrte die Straße, sodass keine Weiterfahrt möglich war.
  (The police blocked the road, so no further travel was possible.)
• Wir warten auf grünes Licht für die Weiterfahrt.
  (We are waiting for the green light for the onward journey / to continue.)
• Die Weiterfahrt verzögerte sich aufgrund eines Staus.
  (The onward journey was delayed due to a traffic jam.)

✅ When and how to use 'Weiterfahrt'?

Contexts:

• Travel and Transport: Most commonly, 'Weiterfahrt' is used in the context of travel (train, bus, car, ship) to describe the continuation after a stop, break, or disruption. Example: "Die Passagiere warteten auf die Weiterfahrt des Zuges." (The passengers waited for the train's onward journey.)
• Permissions: It can also refer to the permission or signal to proceed. Example: "Der Zoll gab uns das Signal zur Weiterfahrt." (Customs gave us the signal for the onward journey / to proceed.)
• Figurative (rare): Occasionally, it might be used metaphorically for the continuation of a process, but this is uncommon.

Distinction from similar words:

• Abfahrt: Departure (start of a journey).
• Ankunft: Arrival (end of a journey or reaching a destination).
• Fahrt: The journey or movement itself.
• Weiterreise: Similar to Weiterfahrt, but often emphasizes the continuation of a longer journey, possibly involving different modes of transport. 'Weiterfahrt' focuses more on the immediate continuation of movement with the same vehicle/mode.

🧠 Mnemonics for Weiterfahrt

Remembering the Article: Think of 'die Fahrt' (the journey/drive). Adding 'weiter' (further/onward) doesn't change the gender: it stays die Weiterfahrt. The journey (Fahrt) is feminine, so its continuation is too.

Remembering the Meaning: Imagine you are waiting ('warten') at a stop. You want to go 'weiter' (further/onward). The action that follows is die Weiterfahrt – the onward journey.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Related but distinct terms:

• Durchfahrt: Passage through (driving through a place without stopping).
• Rückfahrt: Return journey.
• Hinfahrt: Journey there (outward journey).

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Polizist den Autofahrer nach der Kontrolle: "Alles in Ordnung, gute Weiterfahrt!"
Sagt der Autofahrer: "Danke, gleichfalls!"
🤔 Moment mal...

(Police officer to the driver after a check: "Everything's fine, have a good onward journey!"
Driver says: "Thanks, you too!"
🤔 Wait a minute...)

📜 Poem about the Onward Journey

Der Motor brummt, die Pause aus,
es zieht uns fort, von Haus zu Haus.
Die Straße ruft, das Ziel ist fern,
wir wünschen uns die Weiterfahrt gern.
Kein Stau, kein Stopp, nur freie Bahn,
so fängt die schöne Weiterfahrt an.

(The engine hums, the break is done,
It pulls us forth, from house to home.
The road calls out, the goal is far,
We wish for the onward journey, like a star.
No jam, no stop, just open lane,
Thus begins the lovely onward journey again.)

❓ Riddle

Ich komme nach dem Warten,
nach Pause oder Stopp im Garten.
Ich bin die Fortsetzung vom Weg,
bring dich zum nächsten Steg.

Was bin ich?

(I come after the waiting,
After a break or stop debating.
I am the continuation of the way,
Taking you further on this day.

What am I?)(Answer: die Weiterfahrt / the onward journey)

🧩 Word Building Blocks

Word Composition: The word 'Weiterfahrt' is a compound noun.

• weiter: An adverb or adjective indicating continuation, progress, or additional distance ('further', 'onward').
• die Fahrt: A noun meaning the movement from one place to another, often with a vehicle ('journey', 'trip', 'drive').

Together, it literally describes the 'further journey' or the continuation of the trip.