How to Ask Where the Swimming Pool Is in German
Learn to ask 'Where is the swimming pool?' in German, understand opening hours, and use key words for public pools and swimming facilities.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
In this lesson you will learn how to ask for the location of a public swimming pool in German and how to understand its opening hours. You will use the question word 'Wo' (where) and the noun 'das Schwimmbad' (public pool). You will also learn to ask about opening times with 'Wann' (when) and 'geöffnet' (open). The phrases below are standard in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, with small regional differences noted.
By the end, you can…
- ask where a public swimming pool is in German.
- understand and ask about a pool's opening hours.
- recognize common signs and words at a German swimming facility.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Wo ist das Schwimmbad?
Where is the swimming pool?
voh ist dahs SHVIM-baht
Standard question for a public indoor or outdoor pool. Use 'das Schwimmbad' for the facility in general.
Wo ist das Hallenbad?
Where is the indoor swimming pool?
voh ist dahs HAH-len-baht
'Hallenbad' means an indoor pool. Use it when you know the pool is inside.
Wo ist das Freibad?
Where is the outdoor swimming pool?
voh ist dahs FRY-baht
'Freibad' is an outdoor pool, usually open only in summer.
Wann ist das Schwimmbad geöffnet?
When is the swimming pool open?
vahn ist dahs SHVIM-baht guh-URF-net
Use 'geöffnet' for 'open'. The umlaut 'ö' sounds like the 'ur' in English 'fur', without the r.
Wie sind die Öffnungszeiten?
What are the opening hours?
vee zint dee URF-noongs-tsy-ten
'Öffnungszeiten' is the standard word for opening hours. It is plural, so the verb is 'sind'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
Use 'Wo ist ...?' to ask where something is. The verb 'ist' comes second, and the noun follows: 'Wo ist das Schwimmbad?' (Where is the swimming pool?). For plural places, use 'Wo sind ...?': 'Wo sind die Toiletten?' (Where are the toilets?). In a swimming facility you may also see 'Wo ist der Eingang?' (Where is the entrance?) and 'Wo ist die Kasse?' (Where is the ticket counter?). The definite article changes with the noun's gender: 'das Schwimmbad', 'der Eingang', 'die Kasse'.
When to use it
Use 'Wo ist das Schwimmbad?' when you need directions to any public pool. If you are already inside and need a specific area, name it: 'Wo ist das Becken?' (Where is the pool basin?), 'Wo ist die Umkleidekabine?' (Where is the changing room?), 'Wo ist der Sprungturm?' (Where is the diving tower?). To ask about hours, use 'Wann ist ... geöffnet?' or 'Wie sind die Öffnungszeiten?'. In Austria and southern Germany you may hear 'das Bad' for a public pool, and in Switzerland 'das Schwimmbad' is also common.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Entschuldigung, wo ist das Schwimmbad?
Excuse me, where is the swimming pool?ent-SHOOL-dee-goong, voh ist dahs SHVIM-bahtDas Schwimmbad ist in der Gartenstraße. Gehen Sie geradeaus, dann links.
The swimming pool is on Gartenstraße. Go straight ahead, then left.dahs SHVIM-baht ist in dair GAR-ten-shtrah-se. GAY-en zee guh-RAH-duh-ows, dan linksDanke. Wann ist es geöffnet?
Thank you. When is it open?DAN-kuh. vahn ist es guh-URF-netEs ist von sieben bis zweiundzwanzig Uhr geöffnet.
It is open from seven to ten p.m.es ist fon ZEE-ben bis TSVY-unt-tsvan-tsik oo-er guh-URF-netA little context goes a long way
In German-speaking countries, public pools often have separate times for 'Frühschwimmen' (early swimming) and 'Familienzeit' (family time). Signs use the 24-hour clock, so '20 Uhr' means 8 p.m. In Austria, 'das Bad' can mean a public pool, and in Switzerland 'das Schwimmbad' is standard. Always check 'Öffnungszeiten' online or at the entrance, because hours change by season.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'Wo ist Schwimmbad?' without an article.
Try this instead: German usually needs an article before the noun: 'Wo ist das Schwimmbad?' Use 'das' for 'Schwimmbad', 'der' for 'Eingang', and 'die' for 'Kasse'. Without the article, the sentence sounds incomplete.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'Where is the indoor swimming pool?' in German?
Show a sample answer
Wo ist das Hallenbad?
'Hallenbad' means indoor pool, and 'das' is the correct article. 'Wo ist das Schwimmbad?' is also acceptable if you do not know whether it is indoor or outdoor.
2What does 'Wann ist das Schwimmbad geöffnet?' mean?
Show a sample answer
When is the swimming pool open?
'Wann' means when, and 'geöffnet' means open. You can also ask 'Wie sind die Öffnungszeiten?' for the same information.
3You see the sign 'Öffnungszeiten: 7–22 Uhr'. What does it tell you?
Show a sample answer
The pool is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
German signs use the 24-hour clock. '22 Uhr' is 10 p.m. The word 'Öffnungszeiten' means opening hours.
Learn 'Wo ist das Schwimmbad?' for directions and 'Wann ist es geöffnet?' for hours. Use 'das' with 'Schwimmbad', 'Hallenbad' and 'Freibad', and remember that German signs use the 24-hour clock.
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