15秒でわかる
- To commute to work using any kind of vehicle.
- Uses 'fahren' for wheels and 'zur' as a contraction.
- Essential for daily routine and small talk about work.
意味
This phrase describes the act of commuting to your workplace using a vehicle like a car, bus, or train. It is the standard way to say you are heading to your job in the morning.
主な例文
3 / 6Describing your morning routine
Ich fahre jeden Morgen um 8 Uhr zur Arbeit.
I drive to work every morning at 8 o'clock.
Asking a colleague about their commute
Fährst du heute mit dem Auto zur Arbeit?
Are you driving to work today?
Texting a partner that you are leaving
Ich fahre jetzt zur Arbeit, bis heute Abend!
I'm heading to work now, see you tonight!
文化的背景
The 'Pendlerpauschale' is a significant tax deduction for those who drive or take the train to work, showing how much the state values the commute. In Switzerland, 'ins Geschäft fahren' is often used instead of 'zur Arbeit fahren', even if you work in an office. Austrians might use 'in die Arbeit fahren', using the accusative 'in die' to show movement into a place. In cities like Berlin or Hamburg, 'mit der Bahn fahren' is more common than driving due to heavy traffic and excellent public transport.
The 'Mit' Rule
Always use 'mit' + Dative to specify your vehicle. 'Mit dem Auto', 'mit der Bahn'.
No 'nach'!
Never say 'nach Arbeit'. It's always 'zur Arbeit'.
15秒でわかる
- To commute to work using any kind of vehicle.
- Uses 'fahren' for wheels and 'zur' as a contraction.
- Essential for daily routine and small talk about work.
What It Means
This phrase is your bread and butter for daily life. It simply means you are heading to your job. But there is a catch! In German, fahren specifically means you are using wheels. You might be driving a car. You might be on a bus. Maybe you are taking the train. If you are walking, this is not your phrase. It describes the physical act of commuting. It is the bridge between your home and your office.
How To Use It
You need to change the verb fahren to match the person. For yourself, say Ich fahre zur Arbeit. If you are asking a friend, use Fährst du zur Arbeit?. Notice the little word zur. It is a shortcut for zu der. German loves to squish words together! You can add the transport method too. Just say mit dem Auto or mit dem Bus. It usually sits at the end of your thought. "I drive with the car to work" becomes Ich fahre mit dem Auto zur Arbeit.
When To Use It
Use this every single morning. It is perfect for small talk with neighbors. Use it when your boss asks why you are late. Text it to your partner when you leave the house. It works in the office when discussing commutes. It is a very safe, neutral phrase. You can use it with anyone from your best friend to your CEO. It is the ultimate routine phrase.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this if you walk to work. For walking, use zur Arbeit gehen. Do not use it if you work from home. If you are already at your desk, the "driving" is over. Also, avoid it if you are talking about a business trip. That usually requires different words like auf Geschäftsreise. If you are riding a bike, you can use it, but adding mit dem Fahrrad makes it clearer.
Cultural Background
Germans take their commute very seriously. Punctuality is a huge part of the culture. Being late because of traffic is a common Stau story. Many people use the U-Bahn or S-Bahn in big cities. In smaller towns, the car is king. The phrase represents the transition into professional mode. Once you zur Arbeit fährst, the private time is over. It is the start of the productive day.
Common Variations
You will hear Ich fahre los when someone starts the engine. Another common one is Ich bin auf dem Weg zur Arbeit. This means "I am on my way." If you use the train, you might say Ich nehme die Bahn. But zur Arbeit fahren remains the most versatile. It covers almost every motorized situation. Even if you are a passenger, you still fahren. It is all about the movement.
使い方のコツ
This is a neutral, everyday collocation. It is grammatically fixed with the preposition 'zu' (contracted to 'zur' because 'Arbeit' is feminine). It is appropriate for all levels of formality.
The 'Mit' Rule
Always use 'mit' + Dative to specify your vehicle. 'Mit dem Auto', 'mit der Bahn'.
No 'nach'!
Never say 'nach Arbeit'. It's always 'zur Arbeit'.
Regional Nuance
In the South, 'in die Arbeit' is common, but 'zur Arbeit' is correct everywhere.
Small Talk
Complaining about the commute (Stau, Verspätung) is a great way to bond with German colleagues.
例文
6Ich fahre jeden Morgen um 8 Uhr zur Arbeit.
I drive to work every morning at 8 o'clock.
A classic way to describe a daily habit.
Fährst du heute mit dem Auto zur Arbeit?
Are you driving to work today?
Adding 'mit dem Auto' specifies the mode of transport.
Ich fahre jetzt zur Arbeit, bis heute Abend!
I'm heading to work now, see you tonight!
Short and functional for a quick update.
Ich fahre gerade zur Arbeit, aber es gibt viel Stau.
I am driving to work right now, but there is a lot of traffic.
Using 'gerade' emphasizes that the action is happening now.
Mein Hund denkt, er kann mit mir zur Arbeit fahren.
My dog thinks he can drive to work with me.
Using the phrase in a lighthearted, personified way.
Ich muss leider zwei Stunden zur Arbeit fahren.
Unfortunately, I have to drive two hours to work.
Expressing frustration about the length of the commute.
自分をテスト
Fill in the correct form of 'fahren' and the contraction 'zur'.
Ich ___ jeden Morgen ___ Arbeit.
The first person singular of 'fahren' is 'fahre', and the correct contraction is 'zur'.
Which sentence is correct if you are using a car?
A: Ich gehe zur Arbeit. B: Ich fahre zur Arbeit.
Use 'fahren' for vehicles and 'gehen' for walking.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Wie kommst du heute ins Büro? B: Ich ___ mit dem Bus ___ Arbeit.
Since a bus is mentioned, 'fahre' is required.
Match the transport to the sentence.
1. Auto, 2. Beine (legs). A: Ich gehe zur Arbeit. B: Ich fahre zur Arbeit.
Auto = fahren, Beine = gehen.
🎉 スコア： /4
ビジュアル学習ツール
Fahren vs. Gehen
練習問題バンク
4 問題Ich ___ jeden Morgen ___ Arbeit.
The first person singular of 'fahren' is 'fahre', and the correct contraction is 'zur'.
A: Ich gehe zur Arbeit. B: Ich fahre zur Arbeit.
Use 'fahren' for vehicles and 'gehen' for walking.
A: Wie kommst du heute ins Büro? B: Ich ___ mit dem Bus ___ Arbeit.
Since a bus is mentioned, 'fahre' is required.
1. Auto, 2. Beine (legs). A: Ich gehe zur Arbeit. B: Ich fahre zur Arbeit.
Auto = fahren, Beine = gehen.
🎉 スコア： /4
よくある質問
10 問Yes! In German, 'Fahrrad fahren' is the standard, so 'zur Arbeit fahren' is perfect for biking.
You still use 'Ich fahre mit dem Taxi zur Arbeit.'
Yes, because 'Arbeit' is feminine ({die|f} Arbeit). 'Zu' + 'der' (Dative) becomes 'zur'.
Because 'Arbeit' is feminine. 'Zum' is for masculine or neuter nouns (zu + dem).
You say 'Ich fahre von der Arbeit nach Hause.'
'Pendeln' is more specific for long distances. For daily talk, 'fahren' is more common.
No, 'Job' is masculine, so it would be 'zum Job'. But 'zur Arbeit' is much more natural.
You would usually say 'Ich fahre zur Arbeit', as the vehicle part is the main commute.
No, it can mean you are the driver or a passenger.
Ich hasse es, zur Arbeit zu fahren.
関連フレーズ
zur Schule fahren
similarto drive to school
nach Hause fahren
contrastto drive home
pendeln
specialized formto commute
den Arbeitsweg zurücklegen
formalto cover the distance to work
