waiting list
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waiting list
A list of people who are waiting for something that is currently not available, such as a product, a place in a course, or a service.
Das Konzert ist ausverkauft, aber Sie können sich auf die Warteliste setzen lassen.
The concert is sold out, but you can have your name put on the waiting list.
The word is a clear compound of 'warten' (to wait) and 'Liste' (list). So it is literally a list for people who are waiting for something.
Für den beliebten Sprachkurs gibt es eine lange Warteliste.
There is a long waiting list for the popular language course.
Common verbs are 'auf der Warteliste stehen' (to be on the waiting list, state) and 'jemanden auf die Warteliste setzen' (to put someone on the waiting list, action). You can also say 'sich auf die Warteliste eintragen' (to put one's name on the waiting list).
Ich stehe schon seit drei Monaten auf der Warteliste für eine neue Wohnung.
I have been on the waiting list for a new apartment for three months already.
The preposition is always 'auf' (on). Use the dative to describe a state (where?), and the accusative for an action or movement (to where?).
Er steht auf der Warteliste. (Dativ)
He is on the waiting list. (Dative)
queue / line
Both words refer to people waiting for an available place or service. A „Warteliste“ contains registered people who do not yet have a place; a „Warteschlange“ describes an order in which people are served or admitted immediately. The key distinction is therefore a list versus actually waiting in line.
Für den ausgebuchten Sprachkurs stehen bereits zwanzig Personen auf der Warteliste.
Twenty people are already on the waiting list for the fully booked language course.
Vor dem Schalter bildete sich eine lange Warteschlange, weil nur eine Person bediente.
A long line formed in front of the counter because only one person was serving customers.
