rest stop / service station
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rest stop
A facility directly on a highway or major road that offers travelers services such as a restaurant, a gas station, and restrooms.
Wir machen an der nächsten Raststätte eine Pause, um zu tanken und einen Kaffee zu trinken.
We'll take a break at the next rest stop to fill up and have a coffee.
The word is composed of 'die Rast' (rest, break) and 'die Stätte' (a somewhat elevated word for place). A Raststätte (rest stop) is therefore literally a 'place to rest' on a long journey.
Die nächste Raststätte ist ein guter Ort für eine kurze Rast.
The next rest stop is a good place for a short break.
The prepositions differ depending on the context: You drive 'an eine Raststätte' (to a rest stop; direction, accusative) and take a break 'an einer Raststätte' (at a rest stop; location, dative).
Fahren wir bitte an die nächste Raststätte? Ich habe Durst.
Can we please drive to the next rest stop? I'm thirsty.
Raststätten (rest stops) are typically associated with activities such as 'eine Pause machen' (to take a break), 'tanken' (to fill up), 'etwas essen' (to eat something), or 'auf die Toilette gehen' (to go to the restroom).
Lasst uns an der nächsten Raststätte anhalten, um die Beine zu vertreten.
Let's stop at the next rest stop to stretch our legs.
gas station
'Tankstelle' and 'Raststätte' can both be important on a car trip. A 'Tankstelle' is the place where you get gasoline, diesel, or other fuel. A 'Raststätte' is usually located on a highway or major road and offers more: restrooms, food, parking, and often a gas station too. The words can be confusing because many rest stops have a gas station. If you are only talking about filling up with fuel, 'Tankstelle' fits. If you are talking about a break during a trip with several services available, 'Raststätte' is better.
Auf der langen Fahrt halten wir an einer Raststätte und essen dort etwas.
On the long drive, we stop at a rest stop and eat something there.
Nach der Arbeit fahre ich noch schnell zur Tankstelle, weil der Tank fast leer ist.
After work, I'll quickly drive to the gas station because the tank is almost empty.