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German Phrase

Pass auf, wo du hintrittst.

/pas aʊf voː duː ˈhɪnˌtʁɪtst/
Meaning"Watch where you step."
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Meaning

A direct warning telling someone to be careful about the spot they are about to step on. It can be used literally (e.g., on a slippery floor) or figuratively (e.g., when someone is about to make a risky decision).

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When to use

Use this phrase when you want to caution a friend, a child, or a colleague about a potentially dangerous surface, a loose stone, or any situation where a misstep could cause trouble.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Passauf,woduhintrittst.

1

Imperative (2nd person singular)

‘Pass’ is the colloquial imperative of ‘passen’ meaning ‘watch out’ or ‘be careful’.

2

Separable verb particle

‘auf’ is the separable prefix of ‘aufpassen’; in the imperative it stands after the verb.

3

Relative clause with ‘wo’

‘wo du hintrittst’ is a subordinate clause introduced by the relative adverb ‘wo’ (where).

4

Verb ‘hintritten’ (to step onto)

‘hintrittst’ is the 2nd‑person singular present of ‘hintritten’; it stresses the direction of the step.

🗨In Conversation

A

Pass auf, wo du hintrittst!

Watch where you step!

Danke, ich achte darauf.

Thanks, I’ll be careful.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Pass auf wo du hintrittst.

    Missing comma after ‘auf’; the clause ‘wo du hintrittst’ must be separated.

  • Pass auf, wo du trittst.

    Using ‘trittst’ loses the directional nuance; ‘hintrittst’ stresses stepping onto something.

  • Auffpassen, wo du hintrittst.

    ‘Auffpassen’ is not a German verb; the correct form is ‘aufpassen’ with the imperative ‘Pass auf’.

↔Alternatives

  • Achte darauf, wo du hintrittst.

    Pay attention to where you step.

  • Sei vorsichtig, wo du hintrittst.

    Be careful where you step.

  • Pass gut auf, wo du hintrittst.

    Take good care where you step.

de

Cultural Tip

In German, the imperative with a separable prefix (like ‘aufpassen’) always splits: the verb comes first, the prefix follows. Native speakers often drop the comma in casual speech, but writing it correctly shows good command of punctuation. The phrase is common in everyday life, especially in homes with wooden floors, construction sites, or when warning children.