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German Phrase

Du musst am Union Station umsteigen.

/duː mʊst am ˈuːni̯ɔn ˈstaːt͡si̯oːn ˈʊmʃtaɪ̯ən/
Meaning"You have to transfer at Union Station."
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Meaning

The sentence tells the listener that they have to change trains at Union Station. It conveys a mandatory action in the context of travel, especially when navigating public transport in a city where Union Station is a major hub.

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When to use

Use this phrase when giving travel instructions, helping a tourist, or reminding a fellow passenger that a train change is required at Union Station. It works in both formal announcements and casual conversation.

✦Grammar Breakdown

DumusstamUnionStationumsteigen

1

Modalverb 'müssen'

Das Modalverb 'müssen' drückt eine Notwendigkeit oder Verpflichtung aus und wird mit dem Infinitiv des Hauptverbs konjugiert.

2

Präposition 'an' + Dativ

In der Kombination 'am' (an dem) wird der Dativ verwendet; hier bezieht sich 'am Union Station' auf den Ort.

3

Trennbares Verb 'umsteigen'

Bei trennbaren Verben wird das Präfix 'um-' im Satzende abgetrennt und das Verb im Infinitiv steht nach dem Modalverb.

4

Eigenname ohne Artikel

Ortsnamen wie 'Union Station' können ohne Artikel stehen, besonders in deutschen Sätzen, die sich an internationalen Reisende richten.

🗨In Conversation

A

Entschuldigung, wo muss ich aussteigen?

Excuse me, where do I have to get off?

Du musst am Union Station umsteigen.

You have to change trains at Union Station.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Du muss am Union Station umsteigen.

    The verb must agree with the subject 'Du'; use 'musst' not 'muss'.

  • Du musst an Union Station umsteigen.

    When using the preposition 'an' with a definite article, it contracts to 'am'.

  • Du musst am Union Station umsteigt.

    After a modal verb, the infinitive form 'umsteigen' is required, not the conjugated 'umsteigt'.

↔Alternatives

  • Du musst am Union Station umsteigen.

    You have to transfer at Union Station.

  • Du musst am Union Station den Zug wechseln.

    You have to change the train at Union Station.

  • Am Union Station musst du umsteigen.

    At Union Station you have to transfer.

  • Bitte steig am Union Station um.

    Please transfer at Union Station.

de

Cultural Tip

In German-speaking countries, train stations are often referred to with the article (z. B. 'am Hauptbahnhof'), but international hubs like 'Union Station' are commonly left without an article, especially in tourist information. When speaking to locals, you might hear 'am Hauptbahnhof' instead. Also, German speakers tend to be very punctual, so a phrase like this is often accompanied by a reminder to watch the departure boards.