German Phrase
Guck auf die Abfahrtstafel für deinen Zug.
Meaning
The sentence tells someone to look at the departure board for information about their train. It’s a casual, friendly way to direct someone’s attention to the schedule display.
When to use
Use this phrase in a train station when you want to help a fellow traveler find out when their train leaves. It works best in informal settings, such as with friends, classmates, or other passengers you’re speaking to casually.
✦Grammar Breakdown
GuckaufdieAbfahrtstafelfürdeinenZug
Imperative (du) of 'gucken'
Use the informal singular imperative form 'guck' for a friendly command; the verb 'gucken' means 'to look' or 'to check'.
Preposition 'auf' + Accusative
The preposition 'auf' (on/at) governs the accusative case when indicating direction or target of the action.
Definite article 'die' (Accusative feminine)
‘Abfahrtstafel’ is feminine; in the accusative it takes the article 'die'.
Possessive adjective 'deinen' (Accusative masculine)
‘Zug’ is masculine; the possessive adjective must agree in gender, number, and case, becoming 'deinen' in the accusative.
Noun 'Abfahrtstafel'
A compound noun meaning 'departure board' (the display showing train departure times).
🗨In Conversation
Entschuldigung, wann fährt mein Zug nach Berlin?
Excuse me, when does my train to Berlin leave?
Guck auf die Abfahrtstafel für deinen Zug.
Look at the departure board for your train.
✕Common Mistakes
Gucke auf die Abfahrtstafel für deinen Zug.
The correct informal singular imperative of 'gucken' is 'guck' (no -e ending).
Guck auf die Abfahrtstafel für dein Zug.
Because 'Zug' is masculine accusative, the possessive must be 'deinen', not 'dein'.
Guck auf der Abfahrtstafel für deinen Zug.
Do not use the dative 'der' after 'auf' when indicating direction; accusative 'die' is required.
↔Alternatives
Sieh dir die Abfahrtstafel für deinen Zug an.
Take a look at the departure board for your train.
Schau bitte auf die Anzeigetafel, wo dein Zug steht.
Please look at the display board where your train is listed.
Check die Abfahrtstafel für deinen Zug.
Check the departure board for your train.
Cultural Tip
In German-speaking countries, departure boards (Abfahrtstafeln) are usually digital and located near the main entrance of the station. It’s common to use informal language like ‘guck’ or ‘schau’ with strangers in a bustling station, but if you’re speaking to an older person or someone you don’t know well, you might switch to the polite form: ‘Schauen Sie bitte auf die Abfahrtstafel…’. Also, many stations have a separate board for regional (S‑Bahn) and long‑distance (ICE) trains, so be sure you’re looking at the right one.