German word

Eisenbahn

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈaɪ̯zn̩ˌbaːn/

Meaning

  • feminine nounrailway

Example

Die Eisenbahn verbindet zwei Städte.

The railway connects two cities.

Illustration for Eisenbahn (railway)

More examples

Viele Pendler pendeln mit der Eisenbahn.

Many commuters commute by train.

Core concept

A connected rail network links cities through steel tracks, moving trains, and the facilities that keep them running.

Common phrases

  • mit der Eisenbahn fahren

    travel by train

  • Eisenbahnnetz

    railway network

  • Eisenbahnverbindung

    rail connection

  • Eisenbahnverkehr

    rail traffic

Similar words

Bahn: An everyday term for public rail service or the company running it.
Zug: A rail vehicle formation used to carry passengers or goods.
Bahnhof: A facility for train arrivals, departures, and passenger boarding.
Gleis: A numbered track section at a station used by arriving trains.

Definition in German

Eisenbahn bezeichnet das Gesamtsystem von Gleisen, Zügen und bahnbezogener Infrastruktur für den Schienenverkehr.

Word origin

Eisenbahn combines Eisen, 'iron', with Bahn, an inherited Germanic word for a path or route, and originally named an iron road.

Usage tips

  • As a feminine noun, Eisenbahn takes die in the singular and Eisenbahnen in the plural; everyday German often shortens it to Bahn.

Other meanings

  • trainnoun

Related words

  • Eisenbahngesellschaftrailway companynoun
  • Eisenbahnbetriebrailway operationnoun
  • Eisenbahnerrailway workernoun

Word lists with this word