German word

Nahverkehr

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈnaːfɛɐ̯ˌkeːɐ̯/

Meaning

  • masculine nounlocal transit

Example

Im Nahverkehr fahre ich mit der S-Bahn zur Arbeit.

I take the S-Bahn to work using local transit.

Illustration for Nahverkehr (local transit)

More examples

Die Fahrkarte für den Nahverkehr gilt nur im Stadtgebiet.

The ticket for local transit is valid only within the city limits.

Core concept

A local web of public routes carrying people between homes, workplaces, shops, and nearby towns.

Common phrases

  • Fahrkarte für den Nahverkehr

    local transit ticket

  • Nahverkehrstarif

    local transit fare

  • im Nahverkehr unterwegs

    traveling on local transit

Similar words

S-Bahn: A frequent suburban rail service linking a city with its surrounding areas.
U-Bahn: An urban railway that runs mainly underground within a city.
Straßenbahn: An electric street railway that runs along city roads.
ÖPNV: An abbreviation for public transport serving cities and nearby areas.

Definition in German

Der Nahverkehr ist der öffentliche Verkehr innerhalb eines begrenzten Gebiets, der vorwiegend für kurze Wege wie Pendeln oder Einkaufen genutzt wird.

Word origin

The compound joins nah ('near') and Verkehr ('transport'), so its form contrasts with Fernverkehr, 'long-distance transport'.

Usage tips

  • Nahverkehr can include regional trains as well as city services, so 'local transit' need not mean transport within one city.

Other meanings

  • regional public transportnoun
  • suburban transportnoun

Opposites

  • Fernverkehrlong-distance transportnoun

Related words

  • Nahverkehrstariflocal transit farenoun
  • Nahverkehrsverbindunglocal transit connectionnoun

Word lists with this word