The idea
Das Gleis is the usual word for platform number at German stations (Gleis neun, auf Gleis neun). “Es wurde … genannt” is the past passive with an empty es in first position; it reports what was announced without naming a speaker. “Dastehen” (stand there, be shown) is colloquial for text on a display. Aber in the middle of the sentence adds contrast without changing word order. “Vergleichen wir” is a suggestion in the wir imperative.
Other ways to say it
“Fährt unser Zug jetzt von Gleis neun?” – Direct, neutral check of the new platform.
“Haben Sie die Durchsage auch so verstanden?” – Polite way to compare understanding with another passenger.
Examples
- War das eine Gleisänderung für unseren Zug?Was that a platform change for our train?
- Es wurde gerade Gleis neun genannt.Platform nine was just mentioned.
- Vorher stand aber Gleis sechs da.But it previously showed platform six.
- Die Anzeige wird gerade aktualisiert.The display is being updated now.
- Vergleichen wir auch die Zugnummer.Let us compare the train number too.
- Ja, so verwechseln wir keine Verbindung.Yes, that way we will not confuse services.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic German voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No German device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
“Vorher Gleis sechs stand da.” → “Vorher stand Gleis sechs da.”: When a time word like vorher opens a main clause, the verb stand must follow immediately in second position, before the subject Gleis sechs.
Try it yourself
Translate into German: Was that a platform change for our train?
Show answer or example answer
War das eine Gleisänderung für unseren Zug?
“War das” is a past yes/no question; die Gleisänderung is a compound of Gleis and Änderung, and “für unseren Zug” is accusative after für.
Put the words in order: aber / da / Gleis / sechs / stand / Vorher
Show answer or example answer
Vorher stand aber Gleis sechs da.
“Vorher” opens the sentence, “stand” is second, and “da” completes dastehen; “aber” marks the contrast with the announcement.
Write this sentence in German: Yes, that way we will not confuse services.
Show answer or example answer
Ja, so verwechseln wir keine Verbindung.
“So” means “in this way”; verwechseln (to confuse, mix up) takes a direct object, and keine negates the noun Verbindung.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Translate into German: Was that a platform change for our train?
War das eine Gleisänderung für unseren Zug?
Put the words in order: aber / da / Gleis / sechs / stand / Vorher
Vorher stand aber Gleis sechs da.
Write this sentence in German: Yes, that way we will not confuse services.
Ja, so verwechseln wir keine Verbindung.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
Sign up for free to save your practice results in your account and carry on with the story in the game.
Sign up to saveI already have an accountUse it today
Write down your train number and platform from a real booking, then form one sentence reporting an imagined platform change to a travel companion.