die Warteschlange
queue / line
A row of people waiting one after another to be served, admitted, or to have their turn.
EXAMPLE
An der Supermarktkasse bildete sich eine lange Warteschlange.
A long queue formed at the supermarket checkout.
die Warteschlange
queue / line
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Meanings
die Warteschlange
queue
A virtual or digital order of requests, data, or users waiting for processing or access, for example in a computer system or on a telephone hotline.
EXAMPLE
Aufgrund der hohen Nachfrage nach Konzertkarten wurde ich online in eine digitale Warteschlange eingereiht.
Because of the high demand for concert tickets, I was placed in a digital queue online.
Usage tips
Compound word
'Warteschlange' (queue/line) is made up of the verb 'warten' (to wait) and the noun 'die Schlange' (the snake/line). It figuratively describes a row of waiting people that looks like a long snake.
EXAMPLE
Die Warteschlange vor dem Kino war so lang, dass sie um die Ecke ging.
The queue in front of the cinema was so long that it went around the corner.
Typical verbs
When you are part of a physical queue, you use the verbs 'stehen' (to stand) or 'sich anstellen' (to line up). You 'steht in der Warteschlange' (stand in the queue) or 'stellt sich in der Warteschlange an' (line up in the queue).
EXAMPLE
Wir mussten fast eine Stunde in der Warteschlange stehen.
We had to stand in the queue for almost an hour.
Context clue: digital
You can recognize the second meaning from signal words like 'digital' (digital), 'virtuell' (virtual), 'online' (online), or in contexts such as telephone hotlines or websites. Here you are not waiting physically, but in a system.
EXAMPLE
Ihre Anfrage befindet sich in der digitalen Warteschlange und wird bald bearbeitet.
Your request is in the digital queue and will be processed soon.
Compare with
Warteschlange vs Reihe
row / series
Reihe generally refers to people standing next to one another in a line. Warteschlange specifically refers to people waiting one after another to be served, admitted, or to take their turn. Reihe fits a simple arrangement, while Warteschlange fits a shared waiting situation.
Warteschlange
Vor der Essensausgabe stehen die Kinder in einer Warteschlange.
The children are standing in a queue at the food counter.
Reihe
Für das Klassenfoto stehen die Kinder in einer Reihe.
The children are standing in a row for the class photo.
In real life
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