die Einfahrt
driveway
A path or access road that vehicles can use to drive onto a property, into a garage, or into a parking lot.
EXAMPLE
Bitte parken Sie nicht direkt vor unserer Einfahrt.
Please do not park directly in front of our driveway.
die Einfahrt
driveway / entry
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Meanings
die Einfahrt
entry / arrival
The act of driving or moving in, especially of public transport such as trains or ships entering a station or harbor.
EXAMPLE
Die Einfahrt des Zuges in den Hauptbahnhof verzögert sich um wenige Minuten.
The train's arrival at the main station is delayed by a few minutes.
die Einfahrt
mine entrance
In mining, the shaft or tunnel through which miners enter the mine.
EXAMPLE
Vor der Einfahrt in den Stollen erhielten die Besucher einen Schutzhelm.
Before entering the tunnel, the visitors were given a protective helmet.
Usage tips
Word structure
'Die Einfahrt' (the driveway/entry) is the noun form of the separable verb 'einfahren' (to drive in/enter). It combines the preposition 'ein' (in/into) with the verb 'fahren' (to drive/travel), and thus describes driving in or the place for doing so.
EXAMPLE
Das Auto fuhr langsam in die Einfahrt.
The car slowly drove into the driveway.
Sentence structure and usage
To describe an access road or driveway, the preposition 'in' is often used. 'In die Einfahrt fahren' (to drive into the driveway) describes movement, while 'in der Einfahrt stehen' (to be standing in the driveway) describes location. A very typical request is 'Bitte die Einfahrt freihalten!' (Please keep the driveway clear!).
EXAMPLE
Ein fremdes Auto blockiert unsere Einfahrt.
A stranger's car is blocking our driveway.
Typical collocations
In connection with a driveway or access road, verbs such as 'blockieren' (to block), 'parken' (to park), or 'freihalten' (to keep clear) are very common.
EXAMPLE
Es ist verboten, in einer Feuerwehreinfahrt zu parken.
It is forbidden to park in a fire department access driveway.
Context clue
When the 'Einfahrt' (entry/arrival) of a means of transport is being discussed, the sentence often contains words like 'Zug' (train), 'Schiff' (ship), 'U-Bahn' (subway), or places like 'Bahnhof' (station) and 'Hafen' (harbor).
EXAMPLE
Die Einfahrt des Schiffes in den Hafen war ein beeindruckendes Schauspiel.
The ship's entry into the harbor was an impressive sight.
Register and context
The meaning 'Schacht' (shaft) or 'Stollen' (tunnel/gallery) is technical language from mining. You can recognize it from words like 'Bergwerk' (mine), 'Grube' (pit/mine), 'Stollen' (tunnel/gallery), or 'Bergleute' (miners).
EXAMPLE
Die Einfahrt in das Bergwerk ist nur mit Schutzkleidung gestattet.
Entry into the mine is permitted only with protective clothing.
Compare with
Einfahrt vs Zufahrt
access road / approach
Einfahrt and Zufahrt can both refer to a road that vehicles can use to reach a property or parking lot. Einfahrt focuses more on the opening or area where one drives in, while Zufahrt emphasizes the road leading to the destination. For the access point itself, Einfahrt is appropriate; for the route leading there, Zufahrt is usually the better choice.
Einfahrt
Bitte stellen Sie Ihr Auto nicht vor die Einfahrt zum Grundstück.
Please do not park your car in front of the driveway to the property.
Zufahrt
Wegen der Bauarbeiten ist die Zufahrt zum Grundstück heute gesperrt.
Because of the construction work, access to the property is closed today.
In real life
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