📱➡️📏🛣️

How to Say ‘But my phone shows a shorter route.’ in German

Mein Handy zeigt aber einen kürzeren Weg.

mine HEN-dee tsygt AH-ber EYE-nen KUER-tseh-ren veyg

[mine HEN-dee tsygt AH-ber EYE-nen KUER-tseh-ren veyg]

🇩🇪 In Germany: Showing your phone's route is common and accepted. Drivers often have good reasons, such as roadworks, so ask rather than insist.

Phrase Breakdown

Mein Handy zeigt aber

mine HEN-dee tsygt AH-ber

But my phone shows

'Handy' is the German word for mobile phone. 'zeigt' sounds like 'tsaikt', and 'aber' here means 'but' or 'however'.

Example

Mein Handy zeigt aber nichts.

But my phone shows nothing.

Words in this phrase

Mein

[mine]

A possessive word showing something belongs to or is connected to the speaker.

Example

Mein Freund kennt den Weg zum Bahnhof.

My friend knows the way to the train station.

Handy

[HEN-dee]

mobile phone

German word for a cell phone.

Example

Mein Handy ist leer.

My phone is dead.

zeigt

[tsygt]

shows

From the verb 'zeigen'; used when something displays information.

Example

Das Gerät Zeigt mehr an als vorher.

The device shows more than before.

aber

[AH-ber]

but

Used to introduce a contrast or objection.

Example

Aber die Strecke war kurz.

But the route was short.

einen kürzeren Weg.

EYE-nen KUER-tseh-ren veyg

a shorter route.

This is the accusative object. Round your lips for 'ü' and keep the 'e' in 'Weg' long.

Example

Wir nehmen einen kürzeren Weg.

We take a shorter route.

Words in this phrase

einen

[EYE-nen]

Indefinite article before a masculine accusative noun.

Example

Ich plane einen kurzen Austausch nächste Woche.

I am planning a short exchange next week.

kürzeren

[KUER-tseh-ren]

shorter

Comparative of 'kurz', with an ending for a masculine accusative noun.

Example

Wir nehmen den kürzeren Weg.

We take the shorter way.

Weg

[veyg]

way

A path, direction, or manner of travel.

Example

Der Weg zum Erfolg ist lang.

The way to success is long.

Guides for German learners

Duolingo vs Pimsleur: Tapping on a Screen or Talking Out Loud?Duolingo vs Pimsleur: five minutes of tapping versus thirty minutes of speaking. What each is good at, what each costs, and which to pick for your goal.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered feedback on what you say out loud

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Lessons for Your Situation

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Get Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Berlin bureaucracy requires real German. This app got me from zero to handling my Anmeldung appointment in three weeks. My coworkers couldn’t believe it.”

Emma L., 27, UX Researcher

“Relocated to Munich with my family. The everyday scenarios — grocery shopping, doctor visits, school meetings — are exactly what we needed to settle in.”

Marcus J., 40, Engineer

“Learning a language has never been as immediately impactful. Now I can charm the locals and navigate the food scene like a boss.”

Alex M., 42, Software Engineer