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German Phrase

Pass auf die Lücke zwischen Zug und Bahnsteig auf.

/pas aʊf diː ˈlʏkə ˈtsvɪʃən t͡suːk ʊnt ˈbaːnʃtaɪk aʊf/
Meaning"Watch out for the gap between the train and the platform."
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Meaning

A warning to be careful of the gap that can appear between a train and the platform. It is commonly heard in stations to remind passengers to watch their step before boarding or alighting.

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When to use

Use this phrase when you see a noticeable gap at a train station, especially when helping a friend, a child, or a tourist step onto or off the train safely.

✦Grammar Breakdown

PassaufdieLückezwischenZugundBahnsteigauf.

1

Imperative of separable verb

For verbs like *aufpassen*, the imperative uses the stem (Pass) and the separable prefix moves to the end (auf).

2

Accusative object

The noun *die Lücke* is the direct object of *aufpassen* and therefore takes the accusative article *die*.

3

Preposition *zwischen* + dative

*Zwischen* normally governs the dative case when describing a static location, so the full form would be *zwischen dem Zug und dem Bahnsteig*.

4

Gender of nouns

*Zug* (masculine) and *Bahnsteig* (masculine) both take the dative article *dem*.

🗨In Conversation

A

Pass auf die Lücke zwischen Zug und Bahnsteig auf.

Watch out for the gap between the train and the platform.

Danke, ich achte darauf.

Thanks, I’ll watch out.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Pass die Lücke auf.

    The separable prefix *auf* must be placed at the end of the clause, not after the verb stem.

  • zwischen Zug und Bahnsteig

    With *zwischen* describing a static location, the nouns should be in the dative: *zwischen dem Zug und dem Bahnsteig*.

  • Aufpassen Sie auf die Lücke.

    In the imperative you cannot use the infinitive *aufpassen*; you must use the shortened form *Pass auf*.

↔Alternatives

  • Achte auf die Lücke zwischen Zug und Bahnsteig.

    Pay attention to the gap between the train and the platform.

  • Sei vorsichtig, die Lücke ist breit.

    Be careful, the gap is wide.

  • Pass bitte auf die Lücke zwischen Zug und Bahnsteig auf.

    Please watch the gap between the train and the platform.

de

Cultural Tip

In many German-speaking stations the distance between the train and the platform can be larger than in other countries, so announcements often remind passengers to ‘auf die Lücke achten’. In Berlin and Munich you’ll also hear the automated voice say *‘Bitte achten Sie auf die Lücke’* in more formal settings.