die Abfahrt
departure
The time or act of leaving a place by a vehicle such as a train, bus, or ship.
EXAMPLE
Die Abfahrt des Zuges nach Berlin ist pünktlich um 14:32 Uhr.
The departure of the train to Berlin is right on time at 2:32 p.m.
die Abfahrt
departure / exit
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Meanings
die Abfahrt
exit
A road that leads away from a motorway or a larger road.
EXAMPLE
Du musst die nächste Abfahrt nehmen, um nach Potsdam zu kommen.
You have to take the next exit to get to Potsdam.
die Abfahrt
downhill race
A discipline in skiing in which a marked course is skied downhill against the clock, or the corresponding slope itself.
EXAMPLE
Wegen des starken Schneefalls wurde die Abfahrt der Herren abgesagt.
Because of the heavy snowfall, the men's downhill race was canceled.
Usage tips
Word family
'Die Abfahrt' (departure/exit) is the noun form of the separable verb 'abfahren' (to depart/drive off). It describes the act of leaving or a place where one exits from a main route.
EXAMPLE
Wir müssen jetzt los, damit wir pünktlich abfahren.
We need to leave now so that we depart on time.
Context: travel
In connection with trains, buses, or ships, 'Abfahrt' refers to the exact time when the journey begins. On timetables, it often appears next to 'Ankunft' (arrival).
EXAMPLE
Bitte beachten Sie die geänderte Zeit für die Abfahrt des Busses.
Please note the changed time for the bus departure.
Context: driving
On the motorway, 'die Abfahrt' is the exit, meaning the road that leads away from the motorway. A typical phrase is 'die nächste Abfahrt nehmen' (to take the next exit).
EXAMPLE
Wir haben unsere Abfahrt verpasst und müssen jetzt umdrehen.
We missed our exit and now have to turn around.
Context: winter sports
In sports, especially in winter, 'die Abfahrt' is a discipline in skiing. It refers to skiing quickly down a slope.
EXAMPLE
Der Skifahrer stürzte bei der Abfahrt und verletzte sich am Knie.
The skier crashed during the downhill race and injured his knee.
Compare with
Abfahrt vs Start
start
Start can generally refer to the beginning of a journey or trip. Abfahrt more precisely means the time or process when a vehicle leaves a place. Start fits the journey as a whole, while Abfahrt fits a train, bus, or ship setting off.
Abfahrt
Die Abfahrt unseres Zuges ist für Montagmorgen geplant.
Our train's departure is scheduled for Monday morning.
Start
Der Start unserer Reise ist für Montagmorgen geplant.
The start of our trip is planned for Monday morning.
In real life
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