The idea
“Als … gekennzeichnet sein” means to be marked as something; als links the noun without an article. Ein Gespräch führen (to have a conversation) and ein Telefonat führen are fixed verb–noun pairs in neutral to formal German. Draußen in a train means outside the carriage section, not outdoors. Für takes the accusative, and plural nouns like Telefonate take no extra ending. Strangers on the train are addressed with Sie.
Other ways to say it
“Darf man hier telefonieren?” – Short, neutral; man makes it a general question.
“Ich gehe zum Telefonieren kurz in den Vorraum.” – Tells others you are leaving the quiet area for a call.
Examples
- Ist dieser Bereich als Ruhebereich gekennzeichnet?Is this area marked as a quiet area?
- Das Symbol steht neben der Tür.The symbol is next to the door.
- Was bedeutet der Hinweis für Telefonate?What does the notice mean for phone calls?
- Lesen wir kurz die genaue Beschriftung.Let us briefly read the exact wording.
- Ich kann mein Gespräch auch draußen führen.I can also have my conversation outside.
- Dann frage ich kurz nach einem geeigneten Platz.Then I will ask about a suitable place.
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Watch out
“Was bedeutet der Hinweis für Telefonaten?” → “Was bedeutet der Hinweis für Telefonate?”: Für takes the accusative. Learners add a dative plural -n by habit, but the accusative plural of das Telefonat is simply Telefonate.
Try it yourself
Translate into German: Is this area marked as a quiet area?
Show answer or example answer
Ist dieser Bereich als Ruhebereich gekennzeichnet?
Verb-first question with sein; “gekennzeichnet” is the participle of kennzeichnen, and “als Ruhebereich” names the category without an article.
Put the words in order: bedeutet / der / für / Hinweis / Telefonate / Was
Show answer or example answer
Was bedeutet der Hinweis für Telefonate?
“Was bedeutet …?” asks for meaning; der Hinweis is the notice, and “für Telefonate” narrows the question to phone calls.
Write this sentence in German: Then I will ask about a suitable place.
Show answer or example answer
Dann frage ich kurz nach einem geeigneten Platz.
“Dann” moves the verb “frage” before the subject; “nach einem geeigneten Platz” uses nach with the dative for what you ask about.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Translate into German: Is this area marked as a quiet area?
Ist dieser Bereich als Ruhebereich gekennzeichnet?
Put the words in order: bedeutet / der / für / Hinweis / Telefonate / Was
Was bedeutet der Hinweis für Telefonate?
Write this sentence in German: Then I will ask about a suitable place.
Dann frage ich kurz nach einem geeigneten Platz.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Imagine your phone rings in a train’s quiet area. Write what you say to the caller and to your neighbour as you move to the vestibule.