01
die Bim
tram
(colloquial, especially in Austria and parts of Bavaria) A tram.
example
In Wien fahre ich jeden Tag mit der Bim in die Arbeit.
In Vienna, I take the tram to work every day.
die Bim
tram
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Meanings
Usage tips
Register and region
'Bim' (tram) is a colloquial word for a tram. It is used mainly in Austria, especially in Vienna, and in parts of southern Germany, e.g. Munich and Augsburg.
EXAMPLE
In Graz kommt man mit der Bim fast überall hin.
In Graz, you can get almost everywhere by tram.
Origin of the word
The word 'Bim' (tram) is onomatopoeic. It imitates the sound of the bell ('bim-bim') that old trams used to warn people with.
EXAMPLE
Hörst du die Bim klingeln? Sie kommt gleich.
Do you hear the tram bell ringing? It's coming in a moment.
Typical collocations
You use 'Bim' (tram) like any other word for a means of transport. Typical verbs are 'mit der Bim fahren' (to ride/take the tram), 'die Bim nehmen' (to take the tram), or 'in die Bim einsteigen' (to get on the tram).
EXAMPLE
Ich nehme lieber die Bim, dann muss ich keinen Parkplatz suchen.
I'd rather take the tram; then I don't have to look for a parking space.
Compare with
Bim vs Tram
tram
'die Tram' and 'die Bim' both mean a tram. The difference is mainly regional and stylistic. 'Tram' is understood in many German-speaking cities and sounds fairly neutral. 'Bim' is colloquial and common especially in Austria, for example in Vienna, and in parts of Bavaria. Learners may confuse the words because they refer to the same means of transport. In practice: if you want to speak in a safely neutral way, 'Tram' or 'Straßenbahn' (tram / streetcar) is better; 'Bim' mainly fits in suitable regional conversations.
Bim
In Wien nehme ich oft die Bim, wenn ich schnell zum Markt will.
In Vienna, I often take the tram when I want to get to the market quickly.
Tram
Nach dem Essen fährt die Familie mit der Tram in die Innenstadt.
After dinner, the family takes the tram into the city center.
In real life
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