zebra crossing / crosswalk
der Zebrastreifen, die Zebrastreifen
Loading your saved state.
zebra crossing / crosswalk
A pedestrian crossing marked by broad white stripes on the road. Vehicles usually have to stop here to allow pedestrians to cross the street.
Kinder sollten lernen, die Straße nur am Zebrastreifen zu überqueren.
Children should learn to cross the street only at the zebra crossing.
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Zebrastreifen |
| genitive | des Zebrastreifens |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Zebrastreifen | die Zebrastreifen |
| accusative | den Zebrastreifen | die Zebrastreifen |
| dative | dem Zebrastreifen | den Zebrastreifen |
| genitive | des Zebrastreifens | der Zebrastreifen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
The word is made up of 'Zebra' (zebra) and 'Streifen' (stripes). The name comes from the fact that the white markings on the dark road are reminiscent of a zebra's striped coat.
Das Kind wartete brav am Zebrastreifen, bis die Ampel grün wurde.
The child waited patiently at the zebra crossing until the traffic light turned green.
While 'Zebrastreifen' (zebra crossing / crosswalk) is common in Germany, the word 'Schutzweg' is often used in Austria, and 'Fussgängerstreifen' in Switzerland.
In Wien müssen Autofahrer vor einem Schutzweg besonders aufmerksam sein.
In Vienna, drivers have to be especially attentive before a pedestrian crossing.
To describe a position or action at the zebra crossing, German uses the preposition 'am'. When expressing movement across it, 'über' is common.
Bitte warte am Zebrastreifen, bis die Autos anhalten.
Please wait at the zebra crossing until the cars stop.
In connection with zebra crossings, you often hear that pedestrians 'Vorfahrt haben' (have right of way) or 'Vortritt haben' (have priority). Drivers have to 'anhalten' (stop) or 'bremsen' (brake).
An diesem Zebrastreifen haben Fußgänger immer Vorrang.
At this zebra crossing, pedestrians always have priority.
