The idea
On German trains, a reservation applies to a seat number in a specific carriage (Wagen), and reserved seats are often marked on a small display or label. “Bei mir steht Wagen sechs” uses stehen for what is written somewhere: on my ticket it says carriage six. “Sich irren” (to be mistaken) is reflexive and takes haben in the perfect: “Ich habe mich geirrt.” “Einen Wagen weiter” is an accusative of distance, like “einen Schritt weiter”.
Other ways to say it
“Entschuldigung, ich habe hier eine Reservierung.” – Direct but polite; show your ticket while saying it.
“Könnten Sie bitte einmal auf Ihre Platznummer schauen?” – Very polite with Konjunktiv II; avoids sounding accusing.
Examples
- Ich glaube, dieser Platz ist reserviert.I think this seat is reserved.
- Welche Wagennummer steht auf Ihrem Ticket?What carriage number is on your ticket?
- Bei mir steht Wagen sechs.Mine says carriage six.
- Wir sitzen hier in Wagen sieben.We are sitting in carriage seven.
- Dann habe ich mich im Wagen geirrt.Then I got the carriage wrong.
- Entschuldigung, ich gehe einen Wagen weiter.Sorry; I will move one carriage along.
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
“Dann bin ich mich im Wagen geirrt.” → “Dann habe ich mich im Wagen geirrt.”: Reflexive verbs such as sich irren form the perfect with haben, never sein. The reflexive pronoun mich stays after the auxiliary.
Try it yourself
Translate into German: I think this seat is reserved.
Show answer or example answer
Ich glaube, dieser Platz ist reserviert.
“Ich glaube” is a main clause followed by a second main clause with normal word order, so “ist” stays in second position after “dieser Platz”.
Put the words in order: Bei / mir / sechs / steht / Wagen
Show answer or example answer
Bei mir steht Wagen sechs.
“Bei mir” means on my ticket; the verb “steht” comes second and the subject “Wagen sechs” follows it.
Write this sentence in German: Sorry; I will move one carriage along.
Show answer or example answer
Entschuldigung, ich gehe einen Wagen weiter.
“Entschuldigung” stands outside the sentence; then the present tense “ich gehe” expresses an immediate plan, and “einen Wagen weiter” is accusative.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Translate into German: I think this seat is reserved.
Ich glaube, dieser Platz ist reserviert.
Put the words in order: Bei / mir / sechs / steht / Wagen
Bei mir steht Wagen sechs.
Write this sentence in German: Sorry; I will move one carriage along.
Entschuldigung, ich gehe einen Wagen weiter.
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
Imagine your ticket says carriage 9, seat 45, and someone is sitting there. Write the three sentences you would say, starting with a cautious opener.