German Phrase
Tickets gibt's am Automaten.
Meaning
This sentence tells the listener that tickets can be obtained from a vending machine. It is a short, everyday way to give directions in German, especially in transport hubs or event venues.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to point someone to the place where tickets are sold automatically – e.g., at a train station, cinema, museum, or a concert hall. It works well in informal conversation or spoken announcements.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ticketsgibt'samAutomaten
gibt's = gibt es
The colloquial contraction "gibt's" combines "gibt" (gives/there is) with the pronoun "es" (it). In formal writing use "gibt es".
am = an dem
"am" is the contraction of the preposition "an" + dative article "dem". It signals location.
Dative after "an dem"
The noun following "am" must be in the dative case; "Automaten" is the dative plural of "der Automat".
🗨In Conversation
Entschuldigung, wo kann ich ein Zugticket kaufen?
Excuse me, where can I buy a train ticket?
Tickets gibt's am Automaten neben dem Eingang.
Tickets are available at the vending machine next to the entrance.
✕Common Mistakes
Tickets gibt am Automaten.
Missing the pronoun "es"; the correct colloquial form is "gibt's" or the formal "gibt es".
Tickets gibt's an die Automaten.
If you use the singular, you must change the article: "am Automaten" (singular dative) vs. "an den Automaten" (plural accusative).
Tickets gibt's auf dem Automaten.
"am" is only used with dative; using "auf dem" would change the meaning to "on the machine".
↔Alternatives
Tickets gibt es am Automaten.
Tickets are available at the vending machine.
Man kann Tickets am Automaten bekommen.
One can get tickets at the vending machine.
Die Tickets sind am Automaten erhältlich.
The tickets are obtainable at the vending machine.
Cultural Tip
In German‑speaking countries, ticket vending machines are ubiquitous in train stations, bus terminals, and many public venues. Using "gibt's" makes the sentence sound casual and conversational; in written notices you would usually see the full form "gibt es". Also, remember that "Automat" is masculine (der Automat), so the dative plural is "den Automaten" → contracted to "am Automaten".