German · Real conversations
Train journeys: German conversation practice
Check a route, a platform, and a connection. Read the exchange, reveal the translations when you need them, then try your part before looking at the sample answers.
A2 · Read and rehearse
Your role: A passenger asking station staff about a journey.
Goal: Check a route, a platform, and a connection.
Read the conversation
Partner
Der erste Zug für Ihre Reise fährt bald ab.
Show English translation
The first train for your journey leaves soon.
You
Ist das ein direkter Zug?
Show English translation
Is this a direct train?
Partner
Nein, er endet am Umsteigebahnhof.
Show English translation
No, it ends at the junction station.
You
Muss ich umsteigen?
Show English translation
Do I need to change trains?
Partner
Ja, dort steigen Sie um. Ihr erster Zug fährt bald ab.
Show English translation
Yes, you change there. Your first train leaves soon.
You
Von welchem Gleis fährt er ab?
Show English translation
Which platform does it leave from?
Partner
Von Gleis drei. Bei Bedarf gibt es später noch einen Zug.
Show English translation
Platform three. There's a later train if you need it.
You
Gilt die Fahrkarte für den nächsten Zug?
Show English translation
Is the ticket valid for the next train?
Partner
Ja, Ihr Ticket gilt für diesen Zug. Sie haben wenig Zeit zum Umsteigen.
Show English translation
Yes, your ticket covers that service. You have a short connection.
You
Was passiert, wenn ich den Anschluss verpasse?
Show English translation
What happens if I miss the connection?
Try your part first
Partner says: The first train for your journey leaves soon. Your goal: Is this a direct train?
Reveal a sample reply
Ist das ein direkter Zug?
Is this a direct train?
Partner says: No, it ends at the junction station. Your goal: Do I need to change trains?
Reveal a sample reply
Muss ich umsteigen?
Do I need to change trains?
Partner says: Yes, you change there. Your first train leaves soon. Your goal: Which platform does it leave from?
Reveal a sample reply
Von welchem Gleis fährt er ab?
Which platform does it leave from?
Partner says: Platform three. There's a later train if you need it. Your goal: Is the ticket valid for the next train?
Reveal a sample reply
Gilt die Fahrkarte für den nächsten Zug?
Is the ticket valid for the next train?
Partner says: Yes, your ticket covers that service. You have a short connection. Your goal: What happens if I miss the connection?
Reveal a sample reply
Was passiert, wenn ich den Anschluss verpasse?
What happens if I miss the connection?
Make it your own
- Change the destination.
- Miss a connection.
- Ask about the return journey.
Keep the useful expression and change the detail. There can be several appropriate answers; the revealed replies are examples to learn from.
This rehearsal in other languages
A note on speaking German
Use Sie for formal address and du with people you address informally. Könnten Sie …? is a useful polite request. Keep noun capitals and the verb position shown in each complete sentence.
The examples preserve German accents and ß. Read a full sentence before replacing a detail: a subordinate clause can move the verb to the end, and case can change an article or pronoun.
