entrance ramp / driveway
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entrance ramp
A short road that leads from a normal road onto a motorway or expressway.
Wir haben die richtige Auffahrt zur A7 verpasst und mussten umdrehen.
We missed the right entrance ramp to the A7 and had to turn around.
The word is made up of 'auf' (onto/up) and 'Fahrt' (drive/journey). It literally describes driving onto another, larger road or onto a property.
Fahren Sie an der nächsten Auffahrt auf die Autobahn.
Drive onto the motorway at the next entrance ramp.
You can tell from the context whether it means access to a motorway or to a house. Words like 'Autobahn' (motorway) or 'A8' point to a motorway entrance ramp, while 'Haus' (house) or 'Garage' (garage) point to a private driveway.
Wir suchen die Auffahrt zur Autobahn A9.
We are looking for the entrance ramp to the A9 motorway.
For a motorway entrance ramp, the verb 'nehmen' (to take) is often used. For a private driveway to a house, 'fahren' (to drive) or 'parken' (to park) are typical.
Du musst die nächste Auffahrt nehmen, um auf die Schnellstraße zu kommen.
You have to take the next entrance ramp to get onto the expressway.
In this meaning, 'Auffahrt' (ceremonial arrival) is used for ceremonial or official occasions, for example state visits or weddings. In everyday life, this use is rare.
Die Auffahrt des Brautpaares vor der Kirche wurde von allen Gästen beklatscht.
The ceremonial arrival of the bride and groom in front of the church was applauded by all the guests.
arrival
'die Ankunft' and 'die Auffahrt' can both describe the moment when someone appears at a place. 'die Ankunft' is the general word: someone reaches a destination, for example a train station, a hotel, or a celebration. 'die Auffahrt' only fits in a special context, when a vehicle visibly drives up, often ceremonially, for example at an event. For normal trips or appointments, 'Ankunft' sounds more natural. 'Auffahrt' emphasizes the scene of driving up in a vehicle.
Bei der Hochzeit warteten die Gäste vor dem Schloss auf die Auffahrt des Brautautos.
At the wedding, the guests waited in front of the castle for the bridal car's ceremonial arrival.
Nach der langen Zugfahrt war die Ankunft in Berlin eine große Erleichterung.
After the long train journey, arriving in Berlin was a great relief.