escalator
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escalator
A moving staircase that automatically transports people from one floor to another, usually in department stores, airports, or train stations.
Im Kaufhaus nahmen wir die Rolltreppe, um in den dritten Stock zu gelangen.
In the department store, we took the escalator to get to the third floor.
'Rolltreppe' (escalator) is a compound word made from the verb 'rollen' (to roll) and the noun 'die Treppe' (the stairs). So it literally describes a 'rolling staircase'.
Die Rolltreppe war kaputt, also mussten wir die normale Treppe nehmen.
The escalator was broken, so we had to take the regular stairs.
In German, you do not 'walk' on the escalator. Instead, the typical verbs are 'die Rolltreppe nehmen' (to take the escalator) or 'mit der Rolltreppe fahren' (to ride the escalator).
Wir sind mit der Rolltreppe nach unten gefahren.
We rode the escalator down.
In Germany, there is an unwritten rule on escalators: 'Rechts stehen, links gehen' (stand on the right, walk on the left). Anyone who wants to stand still stands on the right side to keep the left side free for people who want to move faster.
Bitte stellen Sie sich auf der Rolltreppe rechts an, damit andere links vorbeigehen können.
Please stand on the right on the escalator so that others can pass on the left.
stairs
'die Treppe' and 'die Rolltreppe' both help you get from one level to another. A 'Treppe' has fixed steps that you walk up or down yourself. A 'Rolltreppe' moves automatically and transports people, especially in department stores, train stations, or airports. The words can be confused because an escalator also looks like stairs. If the steps do not move, you say 'Treppe'. If they run automatically, you say 'Rolltreppe'.
Beim Einkaufen fährt sie mit der Rolltreppe zur Modeabteilung.
While shopping, she takes the escalator to the fashion department.
Nach dem Unterricht nimmt Anna die Treppe in den dritten Stock.
After class, Anna takes the stairs to the third floor.