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German Phrase

Manchmal geht's zu Fuß schneller.

/ˈmançmaːl ˈɡeːt͡s tsuː fuːs ˈʃnɛlɐ/
Meaning"Sometimes it’s faster on foot."
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Meaning

Literally, ‘Sometimes it’s faster on foot.’ The sentence is used to point out that walking can be quicker than taking a car, bike, or public transport, especially over short distances or in congested areas.

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When to use

Use this phrase in informal conversation when you’re comparing travel options, giving advice, or sharing a personal observation about city life, commuting, or sightseeing.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Manchmalgeht'szuFußschneller

1

Manchmal

An adverb meaning ‘sometimes’; it can be placed at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis.

2

geht's

Contraction of ‘geht es’; used colloquially to mean ‘it goes/it is’. The verb ‘gehen’ is conjugated for third‑person singular.

3

zu Fuß

A fixed prepositional phrase meaning ‘on foot’. It does not change in case or number.

4

schneller

Comparative form of the adjective ‘schnell’ (fast). In German comparatives are formed by adding –er and often preceded by a verb like ‘sein’ or ‘gehen’.

🗨In Conversation

A

Ich dachte, ich nehme die U‑Bahn, aber das ist voll im Stau.

I thought I’d take the subway, but it’s stuck in traffic.

Manchmal geht's zu Fuß schneller.

Sometimes it’s faster on foot.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Manchmal geht's zu Fußes schneller.

    ‘zu Fuß’ is a fixed phrase; adding –es is incorrect.

  • Manchmal geht es zu Fuß schneller.

    In spoken German the contraction ‘geht's’ is natural; using the full form sounds overly formal in this context.

  • Manchmal geht's zu Fuß schnelleres.

    The comparative does not take an ending here; ‘schneller’ is correct.

↔Alternatives

  • Manchmal ist zu Fuß schneller.

    Sometimes on foot is faster.

  • Gehen ist manchmal schneller.

    Walking is sometimes faster.

  • Manchmal kommt man zu Fuß schneller ans Ziel.

    Sometimes you reach the destination faster on foot.

de

Cultural Tip

In German‑speaking cities, especially in places like Berlin, Munich or Vienna, people often discuss the most efficient way to get around. Walking is seen as healthy and environmentally friendly, and the phrase is a casual way to suggest ditching the car for a short trip. It’s informal, so keep it to conversations with friends or colleagues rather than formal business settings.