German word

S-Bahn

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈɛsˌbaːn/

Meaning

  • feminine nouncommuter train

Example

Ich nehme die S-Bahn zur Arbeit.

I take the commuter train to work.

Illustration for S-Bahn (commuter train)

More examples

Am Wochenende ist die S-Bahn oft überfüllt.

At the weekend, the commuter train is often overcrowded.

Core concept

Regular trains bring commuters from outer districts and nearby towns into the city and back.

Common phrases

  • die S-Bahn nehmen

    take the commuter train

  • mit der S-Bahn fahren

    travel by commuter train

  • S-Bahn-Netz

    commuter train network

Similar words

U-Bahn: A mostly underground train for short journeys within a city.
Straßenbahn: A local tram serving many stops across a city on streets or dedicated tracks.
Regionalbahn: A regional service linking the city with surrounding areas and stopping often.
Regionalexpress: A faster regional service between cities with fewer stops over medium distances.

Definition in German

S-Bahn ist die Bezeichnung für städtisch-nahe Zugverbindungen, die Pendler auf kurzen bis mittleren Strecken befördern.

Word origin

The term arose as a German abbreviation rather than an English loanword, with S-Bahn replacing the longer compound Stadtschnellbahn in the name of the service.

Usage tips

  • For a destination, German commonly uses mit der S-Bahn nach plus a place name, rather than a literal translation with by.

Other meanings

  • suburban railwaynoun

Opposites

  • Fernverkehrlong-distance transportnoun
  • Fernzuglong-distance trainnoun

Related words

  • S-Bahnnetzcommuter train networknoun
  • S-Bahnhofcommuter train stationnoun
  • S-Bahn-Fahrplancommuter train timetablenoun

Word lists with this word