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German Phrase

Steck hier dein Papierticket rein.

/ʃtɛk hiːɐ̯ daɪn ˈpaːpiɐ̯ˌtɪkɛt ʁaɪ̯n/
Meaning"Insert your paper ticket here."
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Meaning

The sentence is a direct instruction telling someone to insert their paper ticket at the indicated spot. It uses informal ‘du’ language and the colloquial separable verb ‘reinstecken’.

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When to use

You’ll hear this phrase at train stations, bus terminals, or any place with a ticket‑validation slot. It’s typical in everyday spoken German, especially in informal or semi‑formal settings like public transport.

✦Grammar Breakdown

SteckhierdeinPapierticketrein

1

Imperative (2nd person singular)

‘Steck’ is the imperative form of the verb ‘stecken’ (to insert/put), used for giving a direct command to ‘du’.

2

Adverb of place

‘hier’ means ‘here’ and indicates where the action should take place.

3

Possessive pronoun

‘dein’ is the masculine/neuter possessive pronoun matching ‘Ticket’ (das Ticket).

4

Compound noun

‘Papierticket’ combines ‘Papier’ (paper) and ‘Ticket’, referring to a physical ticket as opposed to an e‑ticket.

5

Separable prefix ‘rein‑’

‘rein’ is the separable prefix of ‘reinstecken’ (to stick in). In main clauses it moves to the end of the sentence.

🗨In Conversation

A

Entschuldigung, wo kann ich mein Ticket einwerfen?

Excuse me, where can I insert my ticket?

Steck hier dein Papierticket rein.

Insert your paper ticket here.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Stecke hier dein Papierticket rein.

    ‘Stecke’ is the 1st‑person singular present, not the command form. Use ‘Steck’ for the imperative.

  • Steck hier deine Papierticket rein.

    ‘Ticket’ is neuter (das Ticket), so the correct possessive is ‘dein’, not ‘deine’.

  • Steck hier rein dein Papierticket.

    When using a separable verb, the prefix must go to the end of the clause, not in the middle.

↔Alternatives

  • Bitte legen Sie Ihr Papierticket hier ein.

    Please place your paper ticket here.

  • Steck dein Ticket hier rein.

    Stick your ticket in here.

  • Führen Sie Ihr Papierticket hier ein.

    Insert your paper ticket here.

de

Cultural Tip

In German-speaking public transport the wording is often informal because the signage is meant to be quickly understood. ‘Reinstecken’ sounds casual; in more formal announcements you’ll see ‘einlegen’ or ‘einwerfen’. Also note that many systems now accept digital tickets, so you’ll increasingly see signs like ‘Scannen Sie Ihr Ticket’ instead of the paper‑ticket version.