German Phrase
Nimm die blaue Linie Richtung Innenstadt.
Meaning
The sentence tells someone to take the blue line (e.g., a tram, subway, or bus line) that heads toward the city centre. It is a direct, informal instruction often heard in public transport contexts.
When to use
Use this phrase when giving a friend or a tourist directions on which transit line to board, especially in German cities where lines are colour‑coded. It works best in informal settings; for a formal audience you would say ‘Nehmen Sie die blaue Linie…’.
✦Grammar Breakdown
NimmdieblaueLinieRichtungInnenstadt
Imperative (du) of 'nehmen'
Use the verb stem 'nimm' for the informal singular command, derived from 'nehmen' meaning 'to take' or 'to follow'.
Definite article 'die' with feminine noun
‘Linie’ is a feminine noun, so it takes the definite article ‘die’ in the accusative case.
Adjective declension (weak)
When an adjective follows a definite article, it takes the weak ending ‘-e’ (blaue) in the accusative singular.
Prepositional phrase with 'Richtung'
‘Richtung’ functions like a preposition meaning ‘towards’; it is followed by a noun in the accusative without an article.
Proper noun 'Innenstadt'
‘Innenstadt’ means ‘city centre’ and is used without an article after ‘Richtung’.
🗨In Conversation
Entschuldigung, welche Linie soll ich nehmen, um zur Innenstadt zu kommen?
Excuse me, which line should I take to get to the city centre?
Nimm die blaue Linie Richtung Innenstadt.
Take the blue line towards the city centre.
✕Common Mistakes
Nehme die blaue Linie Richtung Innenstadt.
‘Nehme’ is the first‑person singular present, not the imperative. Use ‘Nimm’ for a direct command.
Nimm die blaue Linie zur Richtung Innenstadt.
‘zur’ combines ‘zu der’ and is used with a definite article; after ‘Richtung’ you should omit the article.
Nimm die blauer Linie Richtung Innenstadt.
After the definite article ‘die’, the adjective takes the weak ending ‘-e’, not the strong ‘-er’.
↔Alternatives
Steig in die blaue Linie ein, die in die Innenstadt fährt.
Get on the blue line that goes to the city centre.
Nimm die blaue Linie, die Richtung Innenstadt fährt.
Take the blue line that heads towards the city centre.
Fahr mit der blauen Linie zur Innenstadt.
Ride the blue line to the city centre.
Cultural Tip
In many German cities, public transport lines are identified by colour as well as number. When you ask for directions, locals often reply with the colour because it’s quicker to spot on a map or at a station. Remember that ‘Richtung’ is used without an article, unlike English ‘towards the’. Also, the informal imperative ‘Nimm’ is common among friends or when speaking to tourists; use ‘Nehmen Sie’ for a polite or formal tone.