German Phrase
Hier ist das GPS‑Signal schwach.
Meaning
The sentence means ‘The GPS signal is weak here.’ It states that the quality of the GPS reception at the current location is poor.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are outdoors, driving, or navigating and notice that your navigation device is struggling to get a reliable position. It’s also handy when you want to explain why a map app is lagging.
✦Grammar Breakdown
HieristdasGPS-Signalschwach
Hier (adverb)
‘Hier’ indicates location and is placed at the beginning of the sentence for emphasis.
ist (sein)
‘ist’ is the 3rd person singular present of ‘sein’ and links the subject with the predicate adjective.
das (definite article)
‘das’ is the neuter nominative article that matches the gender of ‘GPS‑Signal’.
GPS‑Signal (compound noun)
A compound noun formed from the abbreviation ‘GPS’ and ‘Signal’; it stays neuter and takes the article ‘das’.
schwach (predicative adjective)
When used after ‘sein’, adjectives stay in their base form without an ending.
🗨In Conversation
Hier ist das GPS‑Signal schwach.
The GPS signal is weak here.
Dann sollten wir uns besser orientieren.
Then we should orient ourselves better.
✕Common Mistakes
Hier ist das GPS‑Signal ist schwach.
Avoid repeating the verb ‘ist’; only one ‘ist’ is needed.
Hier ist das GPS‑Signal schlecht.
‘Schlecht’ describes quality, not signal strength; ‘schwach’ is the correct adjective here.
Hier ist die GPS‑Signal schwach.
The article must match the gender of the noun; ‘das’ is correct for the neuter ‘Signal’.
↔Alternatives
Das GPS‑Signal ist hier schwach.
The GPS signal is weak here.
Hier ist das Signal des GPS schwach.
Here the GPS signal is weak.
Die GPS‑Verbindung ist hier schlecht.
The GPS connection is bad here.
Cultural Tip
In German‑speaking countries people often check the GPS signal before starting a hike or a road trip. ‘Schwach’ describes the strength of a signal, while ‘schlecht’ usually refers to quality or performance. Using ‘schwach’ is more precise when talking about signal strength.