German Phrase
Der Duty‑free‑Shop macht um 6 Uhr morgens auf.
Meaning
The duty‑free shop opens at six o’clock in the morning. It tells the listener the exact opening time of a shop that sells tax‑free goods, usually found in airports or border crossings.
When to use
Use this sentence when you need to give or ask about the opening hours of a duty‑free shop, for example when planning a flight, meeting a friend at the airport, or simply informing a traveler about the earliest time they can shop.
✦Grammar Breakdown
DerDuty-free-Shopmachtum6Uhrmorgensauf
Definite article (Der)
‘Der’ is the nominative masculine definite article. It agrees with the masculine noun ‘Shop’.
Loanword noun (Duty‑free‑Shop)
‘Duty‑free‑Shop’ is an English loanword used in German; it stays masculine and takes the article ‘der’.
Separable verb (aufmachen)
‘macht … auf’ is the present tense of the separable verb ‘aufmachen’ (to open). The prefix ‘auf’ moves to the end of the clause.
Time expression (um … Uhr)
‘um 6 Uhr’ specifies an exact clock time. The preposition ‘um’ always takes the accusative, but the time phrase itself is invariant.
Adverb of time (morgens)
‘morgens’ means ‘in the morning’ and is used to clarify the part of the day; it does not change form.
🗨In Conversation
Weißt du, wann der Duty‑free‑Shop öffnet?
Do you know when the duty‑free shop opens?
Ja, er macht um 6 Uhr morgens auf.
Yes, it opens at 6 a.m.
✕Common Mistakes
Der Duty‑free‑Shop ist um 6 Uhr morgens auf.
‘ist’ describes a state, not the action of opening. Use the verb ‘aufmachen’ (macht … auf).
Der Duty‑free‑Shop macht bei 6 Uhr morgens auf.
When giving an exact time, the correct preposition is ‘um’, not ‘bei’.
Der Duty‑free‑Shop macht um 6 Uhr morgen auf.
‘morgen’ means ‘tomorrow’; the adverb for ‘in the morning’ is ‘morgens’.
↔Alternatives
Der Duty‑free‑Shop öffnet um 6 Uhr morgens.
The duty‑free shop opens at 6 a.m.
Der Duty‑free‑Laden macht um 6 Uhr auf.
The duty‑free shop opens at 6 o’clock.
Um 6 Uhr morgens öffnet der Duty‑free‑Shop.
At 6 a.m., the duty‑free shop opens.
Cultural Tip
Duty‑free shops are a staple of German airports and large border stations. While ‘Duty‑free‑Shop’ is widely understood, some speakers prefer the German ‘Steuerfreier Laden’. The phrase uses a neutral, factual register – perfect for announcements, travel guides, or casual conversation with fellow travelers.