access road / approach
Loading your saved state.
access road
A path, road, or driveway that leads to a specific place such as a property, building, or parking lot.
Die Zufahrt zum Hotel war wegen einer Baustelle gesperrt.
The access road to the hotel was closed because of construction work.
The word 'Zufahrt' (access road/approach) consists of the preposition 'zu' (toward) and the noun 'die Fahrt' (drive/journey). So it literally describes driving toward a place or the road on which that drive takes place.
Die lange Zufahrt zum Schloss führt durch einen alten Wald.
The long access road to the castle leads through an old forest.
When 'Zufahrt' means the road or access route, it is often combined with adjectives such as 'frei' (clear/open), 'gesperrt' (closed), 'blockiert' (blocked), 'eng' (narrow), or 'breit' (wide). The destination is usually given with 'zu' + dative.
Achtung, die Zufahrt zur Tiefgarage ist nur 2 Meter hoch.
Attention: the access to the underground parking garage is only 2 meters high.
The meaning 'act of driving toward a destination' is less common and is mostly used in formal or technical contexts, e.g. in traffic reports, by the police, or in driving schools.
Die Polizei regelt die Zufahrt der Besucher zum Veranstaltungsgelände.
The police are controlling the visitors' approach to the event grounds.
access / entrance
'der Zugang' and 'die Zufahrt' can both refer to a way to reach a place. 'Zugang' is more general: it can be an entrance, a path, or a way to enter a place. This fits people on foot, but also buildings or sites in general. 'Zufahrt' is used more specifically when vehicles can drive to a place, for example to a parking lot, courtyard, or property. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with getting to a place. As a simple guide: for cars and roads, 'Zufahrt' usually fits; for entrances and entering on foot, 'Zugang' is more likely.
Wegen der Baustelle ist die Zufahrt zum Parkplatz heute gesperrt.
Because of the construction site, the access road to the parking lot is closed today.
Der Zugang zum Gebäude ist am Wochenende nur über den Haupteingang möglich.
Access to the building is only possible through the main entrance on weekends.