turnoff / branch
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turnoff
A place where a path, road, or line branches off from a main direction; also the branching part itself.
An der nächsten Abzweigung müssen Sie rechts in die kleine Seitenstraße fahren.
At the next turnoff, you need to turn right into the small side street.
'Die Abzweigung' (the turnoff) is derived from the verb 'abzweigen' (to branch off). This word contains 'Zweig' (branch of a tree). So an 'Abzweigung' is figuratively a place where a road branches off like a branch from a tree trunk.
Der kleine Feldweg zweigt hier von der Hauptstraße ab.
The small farm track branches off from the main road here.
In the context of directions, 'Abzweigung' (turnoff) is often used with the verbs 'nehmen' (to take) or 'verpassen' (to miss).
Fahren Sie geradeaus und nehmen Sie die zweite Abzweigung links.
Drive straight ahead and take the second turnoff on the left.
To describe the location of the action, the preposition 'an' with the dative is almost always used: 'an der Abzweigung' (at the turnoff).
An der nächsten Abzweigung musst du scharf links abbiegen.
At the next turnoff, you have to turn sharply left.
exit / drive
Ausfahrt is specifically the route by which you leave a highway, parking lot, or property. Abzweigung is more general: a place or route that branches off from a main direction. On a highway, Ausfahrt is usually the appropriate term; on other roads and paths, Abzweigung is more common.
Wir nehmen an der nächsten Abzweigung den Weg zum Dorf.
At the next turnoff, we’ll take the road to the village.
Wir nehmen die nächste Ausfahrt, um die Autobahn zu verlassen.
We’ll take the next exit to leave the highway.
