German Conversation · Level 94
59 words
German word
Schalter
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈʃaltɐ/
Meaning
- masculine nouncounter
Example
Ich kaufe die Fahrkarte am Schalter.
I buy the ticket at the counter.
More examples
Bitte holen Sie Ihr Paket am Schalter ab.
Please pick up your package at the counter.
Core concept
A small control or staffed station that directs something onward by changing its state or handling a request.
Common phrases
am Schalter Fahrkarten kaufen
buy tickets at the counter
am Schalter anstehen
queue at the counter
am Schalter abholen
pick up at the counter
Similar words
Taste: A flat button pressed to send a signal to a machine.
Hebel: A narrow control moved by hand to switch a machine's operation.
Schaltfläche: An on-screen button pressed to activate a function.
Definition in German
Schalter ist ein Bauteil zum Ein- und Ausschalten von elektrischen Geräten; außerdem bezeichnet es einen Kunden- oder Servicetresen.
Word origin
Schalter developed from schalten and originally names something or someone involved in switching, with the service-desk sense arising as a related functional use.
Usage tips
- English counter does not always translate as Schalter; a shop counter is often a Ladentheke or Verkaufstheke, whereas Schalter commonly refers to an official service window.