Buying a train ticket with a transfer | Learn German in English

German lesson set in a contemporary Berlin everyday setting: At a train ticket machine, one adult helps another choose a destination, check the transfer point, and keep the ticket..

EN → DE / Level: A2

About This Lesson

Use Buying a train ticket with a transfer to practice German conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Ich brauche Hilfe beim Kauf einer Fahrkarte für diese Fahrt.

ikh BROW-khuh HIL-fuh byme KOWF EYE-ner FAHR-kar-tuh fyoor DEE-zuh FAHRT. I need help buying a ticket for this trip.
B

Du kannst sie an diesem Automaten kaufen.

doo KAHNST zee ahn DEE-zem ow-toh-MAH-ten KOW-fen. You can buy it from this machine.
A

Welche Option soll ich zuerst auswählen?

VEL-khuh op-TSYOHN zoll ikh tsoo-AIRST OWS-vay-len? Which option should I choose first?
B

Wähle dein Ziel auf dem Bildschirm aus.

VAY-luh dyne tseel owf daym BILT-shirm ows. Choose your destination on the screen.
A

Wie kann ich prüfen, wo ich umsteigen muss?

vee kahn ikh PROO-fen, voh ikh OOM-shty-gen moos? How do I check where to change?
B

Die Details der Strecke werden vor der Zahlung angezeigt.

dee day-TAHYS dair SHTREK-kuh VARE-den fohr dair TSAH-loong AHN-guh-TSYKT. The route details appear before payment.
A

Ich kann jetzt die Umsteigestelle sehen.

ikh kahn yetst dee OOM-shty-guh-SHTEL-uh ZAY-en. I can see the transfer point now.
B

Behalte die Fahrkarte bei dir, bis die Fahrt vorbei ist.

beh-HAHL-tuh dee FAHR-kar-tuh by deer, bis dee FAHRT fohr-BYE ist. Keep the ticket with you until the trip is over.

Word by Word

Ich “Ich” means “I” and is the speaker’s subject in “Ich brauche Hilfe”. It is used before the verb when stating your own need, such as when asking for assistance.
brauche “brauche” means “need” in “Ich brauche Hilfe”. It expresses the speaker’s current need and is reusable with an object after it, as in “brauche Hilfe” when asking someone for support.
Hilfe “Hilfe” means “help” in “Ich brauche Hilfe”. It names the assistance being requested and is useful when asking for support at a machine, counter, or information desk.
beim “beim” means “during” or “in the process of” in “beim Kauf”. It is the shortened form of “bei dem” and is used before an activity expressed as a noun. Here it identifies the activity for which help is needed.
Kauf “Kauf” means “purchase” or “buying” in “beim Kauf einer Fahrkarte”. It names the purchase activity and can be reused in the same pattern when talking about getting a ticket.
einer “einer” means “a” or “one” in “einer Fahrkarte”. It introduces one unspecified ticket in the phrase “Kauf einer Fahrkarte”. This is useful when referring to a single ticket without naming a particular one.
Fahrkarte “Fahrkarte” means “ticket”, specifically the travel ticket being bought in this dialogue. It appears in “einer Fahrkarte” and “die Fahrkarte”, so it is useful when buying or keeping a ticket for a journey.
für “für” means “for” in “für diese Fahrt”. It connects the ticket with the journey it is intended for and is reusable before the person, thing, or journey that something is meant for.
diese “diese” means “this” in “diese Fahrt”. It identifies the particular journey currently being discussed. Use it before a noun when pointing to a specific nearby or known thing.
Fahrt “Fahrt” means “trip” or “journey” in “für diese Fahrt”. Here it refers to the train journey for which the ticket is needed. The word is useful when discussing the journey itself rather than only the ticket.
Du “Du” means “you” as the person being addressed in “Du kannst sie an diesem Automaten kaufen”. It is the subject of the advice and is used when speaking directly to one person in this dialogue.
kannst “kannst” means “can” or “are able to” in “Du kannst sie ... kaufen”. It is followed by the action “kaufen”, which explains what the person can do. Use this form to tell the addressed person what is possible.
sie “sie” means “it” here and refers back to the ticket in “Du kannst sie an diesem Automaten kaufen”. It avoids repeating “Fahrkarte” as the object of “kaufen”. This is useful when the thing being discussed is already clear.
an “an” means “at” in “an diesem Automaten”. It identifies the machine where the ticket can be bought. Use it with a place or device when describing where an action takes place.
diesem “diesem” means “this” in “an diesem Automaten”. It identifies the particular machine nearby. Use it together with the noun it specifies when directing someone to a specific device or place.
Automaten “Automaten” means “machine” here, specifically the ticket machine in “diesem Automaten”. It is the form used in that phrase after “an”. This word is useful when telling someone where a ticket or other item can be obtained.
kaufen “kaufen” means “buy” in “kaufen”. It is the action the person can perform with the ticket as its object: “Du kannst sie ... kaufen”. Use it when describing the act of purchasing something.
Welche “Welche” means “which” in “Welche Option”. It asks the listener to identify one choice from several possibilities. Use it before a noun when asking someone to select a particular option.
Option “Option” means “option” or “choice” in “Welche Option soll ich zuerst auswählen?”. It refers to one selectable item on the machine’s menu. This is useful when asking which menu choice to make.
soll “soll” means “should” or “am supposed to” in “Welche Option soll ich zuerst auswählen?”. It asks for guidance about the recommended action. The pattern “soll ich ... auswählen?” is useful when asking someone which choice to make.
zuerst “zuerst” means “first” in “zuerst auswählen”. It marks the first step in the ticket-machine process. Use it when asking or explaining what should happen before the next steps.
auswählen “auswählen” means “choose” or “select” in “Welche Option soll ich zuerst auswählen?”. It names the action of selecting an option from the machine. Use it when a person must make a choice from displayed possibilities.
Wähle “Wähle” means “choose” or “select” as a direct instruction in “Wähle dein Ziel auf dem Bildschirm aus”. It tells one person to perform the selection. The instruction is completed by the separable particle “aus” at the end.
dein “dein” means “your” in “dein Ziel”. It connects the destination with the person being addressed. Use it before a noun when identifying something belonging or relating to that person.
Ziel “Ziel” means “destination” in “dein Ziel”. It is the place the traveler wants to reach. This word is useful when selecting or confirming a destination on a travel machine.
auf “auf” means “on” in “auf dem Bildschirm”. It identifies the screen as the surface where the destination is displayed or selected. Use it in this pattern when referring to something shown on a screen.
dem “dem” means “the” in “auf dem Bildschirm”. It introduces the specific screen being referred to. Together with “auf”, it forms the location phrase “auf dem Bildschirm”.
Bildschirm “Bildschirm” means “screen” in “auf dem Bildschirm”. It refers to the display of the ticket machine. This word is useful when giving instructions about information or choices visible on a device.
aus “aus” is the separable part that completes “auswählen” in “Wähle dein Ziel auf dem Bildschirm aus”. In this instruction it appears at the end of the sentence. It shows that the selection action is completed by the split verb form.
Wie “Wie” means “how” in “Wie kann ich prüfen”. It introduces a question about the method for checking something. Use it at the start of a question when asking how to perform an action.
kann “kann” means “can” or “can I” in “Wie kann ich prüfen”. It asks whether or how the speaker is able to perform the check. The pattern “kann ich + action” is useful when asking for instructions.
prüfen “prüfen” means “check” or “verify” in “kann ich prüfen”. It names the action of examining the route information. Use it when confirming an important detail before continuing.
wo “wo” means “where” in “wo ich umsteigen muss”. It introduces the location the speaker wants to find. Use it before a clause when asking where an event or action takes place.
umsteigen “umsteigen” means “change trains” in “wo ich umsteigen muss”. It refers to leaving one train and continuing with another during the journey. This word is useful when checking where a journey requires a transfer.
muss “muss” means “must” or “have to” in “wo ich umsteigen muss”. It expresses that the transfer is required. The pattern “ich ... muss” is useful for stating an action that the traveler is required to take.
Die “Die” means “the” at the beginning of “Die Details der Strecke”. It introduces the route details being discussed. Its initial capital letter is required because it starts the sentence.
Details “Details” means “details” in “Die Details der Strecke”. Here it refers to the specific route information shown by the machine. It is useful when asking about or reviewing the parts of a travel route.
der “der” means “of the” in “Details der Strecke”. It connects the details with the route they belong to. The pattern “Details der ...” is useful for identifying what information the details describe.
Strecke “Strecke” means “route” or “stretch of a journey” in “der Strecke”. Here it is the route shown before payment. This word is useful when discussing the path or itinerary of a trip.
werden “werden” means “are” in the passive expression “werden vor der Zahlung angezeigt”. It indicates that the route details are being displayed. This pattern is useful for describing information that a machine or system shows.
vor “vor” means “before” in “vor der Zahlung”. It places the display of the route details earlier than the payment. Use it before a time or event when explaining that something happens beforehand.
Zahlung “Zahlung” means “payment” in “vor der Zahlung”. It names the payment stage of buying the ticket. This word is useful when discussing what happens before or after paying.
angezeigt “angezeigt” means “displayed” or “shown” in “werden vor der Zahlung angezeigt”. It describes what happens to the route details on the machine. Use it with “werden” when stating that information is shown to the user.
jetzt “jetzt” means “now” in “Ich kann jetzt die Umsteigestelle sehen”. It marks the current moment, after the route information has appeared. Use it when reporting what is visible or possible at this point.
Umsteigestelle “Umsteigestelle” means “transfer point” in “die Umsteigestelle”. It names the place where the traveler must change trains. This word is useful when confirming the transfer location on a route.
sehen “sehen” means “see” in “die Umsteigestelle sehen”. It describes perceiving the transfer point on the screen. It follows “kann” in “Ich kann jetzt die Umsteigestelle sehen” and is useful when confirming visible information.
Behalte “Behalte” means “keep” or “hold on to” as an instruction in “Behalte die Fahrkarte bei dir”. It tells one person not to let go of the ticket. Use this kind of instruction when an item must remain with the traveler.
bei “bei” contributes the meaning “with” in “bei dir”. Together, “bei dir” means that the ticket should remain in the person’s possession. This phrase is useful when telling someone to keep an item with them.
dir “dir” means “you” in “bei dir”, giving the phrase the meaning “with you”. It identifies the person who should keep the ticket. Use “bei dir” when referring to something being kept in another person’s possession.
bis “bis” means “until” in “bis die Fahrt vorbei ist”. It introduces the endpoint up to which the ticket should be kept. Use it before a time or clause that marks when an action can stop.
vorbei “vorbei” means “over” or “finished” in “die Fahrt vorbei ist”. It says that the journey has reached its end. The expression “vorbei ist” is useful when describing that an event or trip has ended.
ist “ist” means “is” in “die Fahrt vorbei ist”. It links the journey with the idea that it is over in the clause “bis die Fahrt vorbei ist”. Use it here to state the endpoint of keeping the ticket.

Grammar Points

auswählen – trennbares Verb: ... auswählen

Wählen Sie zuerst die Option aus.

VAY-len zee tsoo-AIRST dee op-TSYOHN ows.

Choose the option first.

Bei trennbaren Verben steht die Vorsilbe im Hauptsatz am Satzende: auswählen → wählen ... aus.

umsteigen – trennbares Verb: ... umsteigen

Sie steigen an der Umsteigestelle um.

zee SHTY-gen ahn dair OOM-shty-guh-SHTEL-uh oom.

They change trains at the transfer point.

Auch umsteigen wird getrennt: Die Vorsilbe um steht im Hauptsatz am Satzende.

German Vocabulary

auswählen verb
OWS-vay-len to choose
Automat noun
ow-toh-MAHT machine Automaten

an diesem Automaten

Bildschirm noun
BILT-shirm screen
Fahrkarte noun
FAHR-kar-tuh ticket

eine Fahrkarte

Fahrt noun
FAHRT trip

für diese Fahrt

Hilfe noun
HIL-fuh help

Ich brauche Hilfe

Kauf noun
KOWF purchase

beim Kauf

kaufen verb
KOW-fen to buy
Option noun
op-TSYOHN option
prüfen verb
PROO-fen to check
Ziel noun
tseel destination
zuerst adv
tsoo-AIRST first

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Which option should I choose first?

Show AnswerWelche Option soll ich zuerst auswählen?

I can see the transfer point now.

Show AnswerIch kann jetzt die Umsteigestelle sehen.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to choose

Show Answerauswählen

help

Show AnswerHilfe

trip

Show AnswerFahrt

machine

Show AnswerAutomaten