German Phrase
Brauchst du eine Mitfahrgelegenheit?
Meaning
The sentence asks whether the listener needs a ride, i.e., if they would like someone to give them a lift. It is a friendly, informal way to offer transport or to check if a ride is required.
When to use
Use this question when you see a colleague, classmate, or friend who might need to get somewhere, especially when you have a car or are planning a trip together. It works well in casual settings, at work, school, or when coordinating travel plans.
✦Grammar Breakdown
BrauchstdueineMitfahrgelegenheit?
Verb conjugation (brauchen)
‘brauchen’ is a regular verb; in the present tense for ‘du’ it becomes ‘brauchst’ (you need).
Subject‑verb inversion (question)
German yes‑no questions place the verb before the subject (V2 rule), so ‘Brauchst du …’.
Indefinite article (eine)
‘Mitfahrgelegenheit’ is feminine, so the accusative indefinite article is ‘eine’.
Noun gender & case
‘Mitfahrgelegenheit’ (ride‑sharing opportunity) is a feminine noun; it appears in the accusative as the direct object of ‘brauchen’.
Question mark
The question mark is placed after the whole clause; the spoken intonation rises at the end.
🗨In Conversation
Brauchst du eine Mitfahrgelegenheit?
Do you need a ride?
Ja, das wäre super, danke!
Yes, that would be great, thanks!
✕Common Mistakes
Brauchst du ein Mitfahrgelegenheit?
‘Mitfahrgelegenheit’ is feminine, so the correct indefinite article is ‘eine’, not ‘ein’.
Brauchst du zu mitfahren?
‘brauchen’ does not take an infinitive with ‘zu’; you ask directly with the noun.
Brauchst du eine Mitfahrgelegenheit?
In formal contexts you should use ‘Sie’ instead of ‘du’. The informal version is fine among friends.
↔Alternatives
Möchtest du mitfahren?
Would you like to ride along?
Willst du mitkommen?
Do you want to come along?
Kann ich dich mitnehmen?
Can I take you with me?
Cultural Tip
In German‑speaking countries offering a ‘Mitfahrgelegenheit’ is common, especially in smaller towns or when commuting. Many people use dedicated platforms (e.g., Mitfahrzentrale, BlaBlaCar) to arrange rides. When speaking to strangers, switch to the formal ‘Sie’: ‘Brauchen Sie eine Mitfahrgelegenheit?’ to stay polite.