Ask when the next bus or train leaves and interpret the reply without mixing up the vehicles. The bus answer uses «halb drei» (half past two), while the train answer uses «vierzehn Uhr zwanzig» (14:20). For this fictional practice scene, imagine an afternoon: the bus leaves at 14:30 and the train at 14:20. The phrase «halb drei» alone does not tell you AM or PM, and these examples are not a real timetable.
Asking about the next bus or train
For a bus, ask «Wann fährt der nächste Bus?» (When does the next bus leave?). For a train, ask «Wann fährt der nächste Zug?» (When does the next train leave?). Another bus question is «Um wie viel Uhr fährt der Bus?» (At what time does the bus leave?). Both bus questions can request a clock time; the first also specifies the next bus. Practise choosing the vehicle before you speak. The full dialogue opens with «Entschuldigung, wann fährt der nächste Bus?» (Excuse me, when does the next bus leave?).
Understanding the recorded answers
In the recorded dialogue, speaker A asks «Entschuldigung, wann fährt der nächste Bus?» meaning Excuse me, when does the next bus leave? Speaker B answers «Der nächste Bus fährt um halb drei.» meaning The next bus leaves at half past two. Here «halb drei» is 2:30, not 3:30. Then A asks «Danke. Und wann fährt der Zug?» meaning Thank you. And when does the train leave? B answers «Der Zug fährt um vierzehn Uhr zwanzig.» meaning The train leaves at 14:20. Each answer belongs to its own vehicle. In our fictional afternoon scene, half past two is 14:30, ten minutes after 14:20. This comparison tells you which departure is earlier, but says nothing about journey length, arrival time or whether the services go to the same place.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Wann fährt der nächste Bus?
When does the next bus leave?
vahn fairt dair NAYK-stuh booss
Wann fährt der nächste Zug?
When does the next train leave?
vahn fairt dair NAYK-stuh tsook
Wann fährt die nächste Straßenbahn?
When does the next tram leave?
vahn fairt dee NAYK-stuh SHTRAH-sen-bahn
Um wie viel Uhr fährt der Bus?
At what time does the bus leave?
oom vee feel oor fairt dair booss
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Entschuldigung, wann fährt der nächste Bus?
Excuse me, when does the next bus leave?Der nächste Bus fährt um halb drei.
The next bus leaves at half past two.Danke. Und wann fährt der Zug?
Thank you. And when does the train leave?Der Zug fährt um vierzehn Uhr zwanzig.
The train leaves at 14:20.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided exchange: ask about the bus
Play the recorded dialogue. You will take speaker A first, then speaker B. Use only the recorded lines.
Your task: Say «Entschuldigung, wann fährt der nächste Bus?» Then play speaker B and repeat «Der nächste Bus fährt um halb drei.» Swap roles and do it again.
Choose the right question or interpret the reply
Use the fictional afternoon scene. Identify each vehicle and its departure time, then choose the question that asks for that information.
Your task: After «Der Zug fährt um vierzehn Uhr zwanzig.», identify the train and 14:20. Practise the matching follow-up «Danke. Und wann fährt der Zug?» (Thank you. And when does the train leave?). After «Der nächste Bus fährt um halb drei.», identify the bus and half past two. Ask «Wann fährt der nächste Bus?» to request that departure time.
Recall with correct speaker roles
Without looking at the text, play the full recorded dialogue once. Then replay it and pause after each line.
Your task: Say speaker A's two lines from memory: the bus question and the follow-up train question. Then say speaker B's two answers with the correct times. Finally, repeat the whole dialogue playing both roles.
Common questions
Does «halb drei» mean 3:30 in German?
No. In the recorded answer, «halb drei» means half past two, or 2:30. German uses half to the next hour, so «halb drei» is halfway to three. The train answer is separate: «vierzehn Uhr zwanzig» means 14:20.
Can I use these questions for any bus or train?
Yes, the pattern works for asking about the next bus or train in a simple station or stop situation. The recorded answers give only two specific times: the bus at half past two and the train at 14:20. Do not treat them as a full timetable or assume arrival times.
Sources and further reading
- german: ask about departure timeChecked September 2026
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Take today's German into a conversation with a Yapr AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr