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How to Say ‘There's a traffic jam on the main road.’ in German

Auf der Hauptstraße ist Stau.

owf dair HOWPT-shtrah-suh ist shtow

[owf dair HOWPT-shtrah-suh ist shtow]

💬 Usage Tip: German says ist Stau with no ein, much like English "there's traffic". Same with Da ist Baustelle on the radio.

Phrase Breakdown

Auf der Hauptstraße

owf dair HOWPT-shtrah-suh

On the main road

'Auf der' plus a feminine noun in the dative case. 'Haupt' sounds like 'howpt', and 'ß' is a sharp s.

Example

Auf der Hauptstraße gibt es viele Geschäfte.

There are many shops on the main road.

Words in this phrase

Auf

[owf]

Used to denote a position above something.

Example

Das Buch liegt auf dem Tisch.

The book is on the table.

der

[dair]

the

Feminine article in the dative case, used after 'in' for location.

Example

Das steht in der Zeitung.

That's in the newspaper.

Hauptstraße

[HOWPT-shtrah-suh]

main street

The principal or major street in an area, often the usual direct route.

Example

Durch die Hauptstraße kommt man oft schneller an.

Through the main street, you often arrive faster.

ist Stau.

ist shtow

there is a traffic jam.

'Stau' means traffic jam. Say 'St' as 'scht', so it sounds like 'schtow'.

Example

Heute ist Stau.

There is a traffic jam today.

Words in this phrase

ist

[ist]

A form of the verb 'sein' used for singular subjects.

Example

Für viele Bewerber Ist ein gutes Teamklima entscheidend.

For many applicants, a good team climate is crucial.

Stau

[shtow]

traffic jam

Heavy traffic where cars move slowly or stop.

Example

Im Stau verliert man viel Zeit.

In a traffic jam you lose a lot of time.

Guides for German learners

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