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noun

der Bahnsteig, -e

platform

Ein erhöhter Platz neben den Gleisen, an dem Fahrgäste in Züge ein- und aussteigen können.

Definition & meaning

Bahnsteig means railway platform or train platform: the raised area at a railway station where passengers wait for and board trains.

  • Der Zug fährt am Bahnsteig 3 ab. — The train departs from platform 3.
  • Bitte warten Sie am Bahnsteig. — Please wait on the platform.

A Bahnsteig is the platform itself, not the railway track beside it.

Grammar & word origin

  • Gender: masculine
  • Singular: der Bahnsteig
  • Plural: die Bahnsteige
  • Pronunciation: approximately BAHN-shtike

The word is a compound of:

  • die Bahn — railway, train service, or track
  • der Steig — a path, ascent, or narrow walkway

Historically, Steig is related to the idea of a path or raised walkway. Thus, Bahnsteig originally referred to a walkway or platform alongside a railway.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

  • der Perron — platform; common especially in Switzerland and in some formal or regional contexts. It has essentially the same meaning as Bahnsteig.
  • die Plattform — platform; a more general word that can also refer to a physical structure, online service, or political platform. It is less specifically connected with railway stations.

Das Gleis — track — is often confused with Bahnsteig, but it is not a synonym. The Gleis is where the train runs, while the Bahnsteig is where passengers wait.

There is no direct standard antonym for Bahnsteig.

Common phrases & collocations

  • am Bahnsteig warten — to wait on the platform
  • auf dem Bahnsteig stehen — to stand on the platform
  • zum Bahnsteig gehen — to go to the platform
  • Bahnsteig 1 — platform 1
  • der Bahnsteig für die Abfahrt — the platform for departure
  • die Bahnsteigkante — the edge of the platform
  • der Mittelbahnsteig — an island platform located between two tracks
  • der Seitenbahnsteig — a side platform alongside a track

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Examples

Am Bahnsteig warten viele Menschen auf die Abfahrt.noun

On the platform, many people are waiting for the departure.

Am Bahnsteig herrscht reges Treiben.noun

There is bustling activity on the platform.

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