die
Zufahrt
🛣️ What exactly is a 'Zufahrt'?
The word die Zufahrt (feminine) refers to a way, road, or path that leads to a specific place, such as a property (Grundstück), a building (Gebäude), a parking lot (Parkplatz), or a facility (Anlage). It's the route you take to reach a destination, usually with a vehicle.
You can understand it as an access road, approach road, or driveway.
🧐 Grammar in Detail: die Zufahrt
The noun 'Zufahrt' is feminine. The article is 'die'. Here is the declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die | Zufahrt |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der | Zufahrt |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der | Zufahrt |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die | Zufahrt |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die | Zufahrten |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der | Zufahrten |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | den | Zufahrten |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die | Zufahrten |
📜 Example Sentences
- Die Zufahrt zum Parkplatz war durch ein anderes Auto blockiert.
(The access road to the parking lot was blocked by another car.) - Bitte halten Sie die Zufahrt für Rettungsfahrzeuge frei!
(Please keep the access way clear for emergency vehicles!) - Die Bauarbeiten erschweren die Zufahrt zum Firmengelände.
(The construction work makes access to the company premises difficult.) - Wir suchen ein Haus mit einer langen, privaten Zufahrt.
(We are looking for a house with a long, private driveway.) - Es gibt mehrere Zufahrten zu diesem Einkaufszentrum.
(There are several access roads to this shopping mall.)
💡 How is 'die Zufahrt' used?
The term die Zufahrt is frequently used in the context of traffic (Verkehr), properties (Grundstücke), and buildings (Gebäude).
- In everyday life: Describing the way to a house, parking lot, or shop (e.g., "Die Zufahrt ist gleich hinter der Kurve." - The access road is just behind the bend.).
- Officially/Formally: In traffic signs, during construction work, in property descriptions (e.g., "Zufahrt gesperrt" - Access closed, "Freihalten der Zufahrt" - Keep access clear).
- Difference from 'Einfahrt': While 'Einfahrt' often refers to the immediate area where you drive in (e.g., into a garage or onto a property), 'Zufahrt' can also mean a longer path leading there. However, the terms are often used synonymously.
- Difference from 'Zugang': 'Zugang' (access) is more general and can also apply to pedestrians or be used abstractly (e.g., Zugang zu Informationen - access to information). 'Zufahrt' refers more specifically to driving towards something with a vehicle.
🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Zufahrt'
- Remembering the Article ('die'): Think of a fancy lady (die Dame) driving her car to (zu) her mansion via a long, elegant drive (the Fahrt). That's die Zufahrt. Most nouns ending in '-fahrt' (like die Abfahrt, die Hinfahrt) are feminine.
- Remembering the Meaning: It's the 'Fahrt' (drive, journey) you take 'zu' (to) a place. The drive to the location = die Zufahrt (access road/driveway).
You need a ticket for the Fahrt (journey), but permission for die Zufahrt (access road). Both are feminine!
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- die Einfahrt: Very similar, often interchangeable, sometimes emphasizes the entrance point to the property more. (Entrance, driveway)
- der Zugang: More general, can also be for pedestrians. (Access)
- die Anfahrt: Emphasizes the act of driving there, but can also mean the route. (Approach, drive)
- der Zubringer: Often for larger roads leading to highways. (Feeder road)
⚠️ Caution: Do not confuse with der Zugriff (access to data/systems) or der Zufluss (inflow of liquid/money).
😂 A Little Joke
Warum war die Zufahrt zum Mathematikerhaus immer so sauber?
(Why was the access road to the mathematician's house always so clean?)
Weil er alle Probleme schon an der Wurzel (oder Einfahrt) packte und keine Variablen herumliegen ließ!
(Because he tackled all problems at the root (or entrance) and didn't leave any variables lying around!)
✒️ Poem about the Zufahrt
Die Zufahrt, lang und schmal,
(The access road, long and narrow,)
führt hin zum Haus, ganz ohne Qual.
(Leads to the house, without any torment.)
Ob Schotter, Stein, ob Asphaltglatt,
(Whether gravel, stone, or smooth asphalt,)
man fährt hierher und wird nicht matt.
(You drive here and don't get tired.)
Ein Weg zum Ziel, zum Ankunftsport,
(A path to the goal, to the arrival port,)
die Zufahrt weist den Weg sofort.
(The access road shows the way immediately.)
❓ Little Riddle
Ich bin ein Weg, doch keine Reise weit.
(I am a path, but not a long journey.)
Ich führe hin, zu jeder Zeit.
(I lead towards, at any time.)
Mal kurz, mal lang, mal steil, mal flach,
(Sometimes short, sometimes long, sometimes steep, sometimes flat,)
zu Haus, zu Hof, zu Schuppendach.
(To house, to yard, to shed roof.)
Was bin ich? / What am I?
(Answer: die Zufahrt)
🧩 Word Composition
The word 'Zufahrt' is a compound noun (Kompositum):
- zu: Preposition or adverb indicating direction or purpose (here: towards).
- die Fahrt: Noun meaning the movement from one place to another (drive, journey, trip).
Together, the meaning is formed: The drive towards a specific place. The base word 'Fahrt' is feminine, which determines the gender of 'Zufahrt' – hence, 'die Zufahrt'.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Zufahrt?
The word 'Zufahrt' is feminine. The correct article is die. It describes a path leading to a place (e.g., a driveway to a house or an access road to a parking lot). The plural is 'die Zufahrten'.