die Straßenbahn
tram
An electrically powered rail vehicle that usually runs on roads or on its own track within a city and carries passengers.
EXAMPLE
Die Straßenbahn kommt gerade an der Haltestelle an.
The tram is just arriving at the stop.
die Straßenbahn
tram
die Straßenbahn, die Straßenbahnen
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Meanings
die Straßenbahn
tram system
The public transportation system consisting of trams, routes, and stops in a city or region.
EXAMPLE
Mit der Straßenbahn kommt man schnell ins Stadtzentrum.
You can get to the city center quickly by tram.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Straßenbahn, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Straßenbahnen |
| genitive | der Straßenbahn |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Straßenbahn | die Straßenbahnen |
| accusative | die Straßenbahn | die Straßenbahnen |
| dative | der Straßenbahn | den Straßenbahnen |
| genitive | der Straßenbahn | der Straßenbahnen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Compound word
„Straßenbahn“ (tram) is made up of „Straße“ (street) and „Bahn“ (railway). The word originally referred to a railway that runs on or along a street.
EXAMPLE
Die neue Straßenbahn verbindet mehrere Stadtteile miteinander.
The new tram connects several districts with one another.
Typical collocations
When referring to a specific vehicle, „Straßenbahn“ (tram) is often used with verbs such as „einsteigen“ (to get on), „aussteigen“ (to get off), „nehmen“ (to take), and „fahren“ (to travel by / ride).
EXAMPLE
An der nächsten Haltestelle steigen wir in die Straßenbahn ein.
We’re getting on the tram at the next stop.
Context clue
The meaning referring to a transportation system can often be recognized from words such as „Netz“ (network), „Linie“ (line), „Strecke“ (route), or „öffentlicher Verkehr“ (public transportation). If the context is about getting on, getting off, or riding, it usually refers to the specific vehicle.
EXAMPLE
Die Straßenbahn ist ein wichtiger Bestandteil des öffentlichen Verkehrs in unserer Stadt.
The tram system is an important part of public transportation in our city.
Die Straßenbahn fährt heute wegen einer Baustelle nur bis zum Hauptbahnhof.
Because of construction work, the tram is only running as far as the main station today.
In real life
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