German Phrase
Folge den Schildern zu den Gates B.
Meaning
The sentence tells someone to follow the signs that point toward Gate B. It is a typical directional instruction you might hear in an airport, train station, or conference center.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are guiding a visitor, a colleague, or a fellow traveler to a specific gate or entrance that is marked with signage. It works both in formal announcements and casual conversation.
✦Grammar Breakdown
FolgedenSchildernzudenGatesB.
Verb: folgen
‘Folgen’ is a dative verb; the object that is followed takes the dative case (den Schildern).
Definite article (dative plural)
In the dative plural, the definite article is ‘den’ and nouns often add an -n (Schilder → Schildern).
Preposition ‘zu’ + dative
‘Zu’ indicates direction toward a place and also governs the dative case (zu den Gates).
Loanword ‘Gates’
‘Gates’ is an English loanword used in German airports and large venues; it stays unchanged and takes the German article.
Letter designation
The letter ‘B’ is pronounced as the German letter name ‘B’ (beh) and follows the noun without a space.
🗨In Conversation
Entschuldigung, wo ist Gate B?
Excuse me, where is Gate B?
Folge den Schildern zu den Gates B.
Follow the signs to Gate B.
✕Common Mistakes
Folge die Schilder zu den Gates B.
‘Folgen’ requires the dative case, so ‘die’ (accusative) is incorrect.
Folge den Schilder zu den Gates B.
The noun ‘Schilder’ must also get the dative ending ‘-n’.
Folge den Schildern zu dem Gates B.
‘Zu’ governs the dative, so ‘dem’ (dative singular) does not match the plural ‘Gates’.
↔Alternatives
Gehe den Schildern zu Gate B.
Go along the signs to Gate B.
Folge den Hinweisschildern zum Gate B.
Follow the direction signs to Gate B.
Nimm die Schilder zum Gate B.
Take the signs to Gate B.
Cultural Tip
In German-speaking airports, the word ‘Gate’ is often used as a loanword and is preceded by the article ‘das’ (das Gate). However, when giving directions, speakers usually say ‘zu den Gates’ (plural) because the signage often groups several gates together. Keep the dative case after ‘folgen’ and ‘zu’ to sound natural.