German Phrase
Die sind im Gang 5.
Meaning
Literally, “Those are in aisle 5.” The sentence points out the location of a group of objects—books, products, or any items—by naming the specific aisle where they can be found.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to tell someone where a set of items is located inside a store, library, museum, or any building that numbers its aisles or corridors. It works both in formal and informal contexts.
✦Grammar Breakdown
DiesindimGang5
Die (demonstrative pronoun)
Plural nominative form of the demonstrative pronoun meaning 'those' or 'they' when referring to a known group.
sind (sein)
3rd‑person plural present of the verb 'sein' (to be). Used with plural subjects.
im = in dem
Contraction of the preposition 'in' + dative article 'dem', indicating location inside something.
Gang (noun)
Masculine noun meaning 'aisle', 'corridor' or 'hallway'. Takes the dative case after 'in dem'.
5 (cardinal number)
Cardinal numbers are not declined when they stand alone after a noun.
🗨In Conversation
Wo sind die Bücher?
Where are the books?
Die sind im Gang 5.
They are in aisle 5.
✕Common Mistakes
Der sind im Gang 5.
‘Der’ is singular masculine; the subject is plural, so you need ‘die’.
Die ist im Gang 5.
‘Ist’ is the singular form of ‘sein’; with a plural subject you must use ‘sind’.
Die sind in Gang 5.
The preposition ‘in’ requires the dative article ‘dem’ when talking about a location, contracted to ‘im’.
↔Alternatives
Sie befinden sich im Gang 5.
They are located in aisle 5.
Im Gang 5 findet man sie.
You can find them in aisle 5.
Die liegen im Gang 5.
They lie in aisle 5.
Cultural Tip
In German supermarkets, bookstores, and libraries aisles are almost always numbered and referred to as 'Gang' (e.g., Gang 1, Gang 2). When giving directions, Germans tend to be precise, so stating the exact gang number is considered polite and helpful. In southern Germany, you might also hear 'Reihe' for a row of shelves, but 'Gang' remains the standard term for the passage between them.