autobahn / motorway
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autobahn / motorway
A large, multi-lane road for fast long-distance traffic by motor vehicles, usually built without intersections and with separate carriageways for the two directions.
Wegen eines Unfalls gab es auf der Autobahn A5 einen langen Stau.
Because of an accident, there was a long traffic jam on the A5 autobahn.
The word is a simple compound of 'Auto' (car) and 'Bahn' (track/road). So it literally describes a 'Bahn' for cars.
Die erste Autobahn der Welt wurde in Berlin eröffnet.
The first autobahn in the world was opened in Berlin.
Pay attention to the prepositions: You drive 'auf der Autobahn' (on the autobahn; dative, location), you drive 'auf die Autobahn' (onto the autobahn; accusative, direction), and you drive 'von der Autobahn' ab (off the autobahn; dative, origin).
Vorsicht, es sind Tiere auf der Autobahn!
Careful, there are animals on the autobahn!
In everyday language, autobahns are often abbreviated with the letter 'A' and their number. For example, people talk about 'der A8' (the A8) or 'der A9' (the A9).
Wir nehmen die A7 Richtung Norden.
We're taking the A7 north.
A well-known feature of German autobahns is that on many sections there is no general speed limit. Instead, a 'Richtgeschwindigkeit' (recommended speed) of 130 km/h applies.
Viele Touristen kommen nach Deutschland, um einmal ohne Tempolimit auf der Autobahn zu fahren.
Many tourists come to Germany to drive on the autobahn without a speed limit once.
federal highway
'die Autobahn' and 'die Bundesstrasse' are both important roads for longer journeys. The difference lies in the type of road. An Autobahn is built for very fast traffic, has several lanes, and normally has no regular intersections. A 'Bundesstrasse' also connects regions, but it is one level below and can also pass through towns or have intersections. They can be confused because both are supraregional roads. If you mean the typical fast road with entrance and exit ramps, you say 'Autobahn'. If it is an important normal road between cities, 'Bundesstrasse' fits better.
Wegen des Staus auf der Autobahn kam Mehmet zu spät zum Termin.
Because of the traffic jam on the Autobahn, Mehmet arrived late for the appointment.
Wir fahren über die Bundesstraße, weil die Strecke kürzer ist.
We are taking the federal highway because the route is shorter.