German · Travel & Getting Around
"Traffic light" in German: Ampel
die Ampel
Traffic light in German is die Ampel. Drivers stop bei Rot and go bei Grün. Jaywalking near an Ampel can draw looks even if tickets are rare.
Driving lesson
Halt vor der Ampel, sie springt gleich auf Rot.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce Ampel
Say it
AHM-pel
/ˈampl̩/
AHM-pel. Short a. Soft final el.
"Traffic light" in German: quick reference
| German | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| die Ampel | the traffic light Standard word. | Standard word. |
| bei Rot / bei Grün | on red / on green Light color rules. | Light color rules. |
| Ampelanlage | traffic-light system Full intersection setup. | Full intersection setup. |
| über die Ampel | across at the lights Pedestrian directions. | Pedestrian directions. |
How to use Ampel in real life
- 1Driving lesson
Halt vor der Ampel, sie springt gleich auf Rot.
Stop before the traffic light, it's about to turn red.
Vor der Ampel.
- 2Walking
Wir warten an der Ampel auf Grün.
We're waiting at the traffic light for green.
An der Ampel.
- 3Directions
Nach der Ampel links in die Seitenstraße.
After the traffic light, left into the side street.
Nach der Ampel.
Mistakes English speakers make with Ampel
Incorrect: das Traffic light
Correct: die Ampel
Use Ampel, feminine.
Incorrect: der Ampel
Correct: die Ampel
Ampel is die, not der.
Good to know
Germans often wait for green even on empty streets, especially with kids watching. Ampel also names traffic-light coalitions in politics: Ampelkoalition.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Navigating a busy crossing
ChatPal
Ist die Ampel schon grün?
Is the traffic light green yet?
You
Noch rot. Bleib an der Ampel stehen.
Still red. Stay at the traffic light.
ChatPal
Okay. Nach der Ampel sehen wir das Museum.
Okay. After the traffic light we'll see the museum.
You
Genau. Die Ampel dort ist oft langsam.
Exactly. That traffic light is often slow.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Traffic light" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Traffic light" in German
How do you say traffic light?
Die Ampel.
On red?
Bei Rot.
At the lights?
An der Ampel.
Gender?
Feminine: die Ampel.
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- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
