German · Bus / U-Bahn / Tram
On the tram you ask whether a seat is free: what to say in German
On the tram you ask whether the seat is free.
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How it's done. In German public transport people ask Ist hier noch frei? and usually hear Ja, bitte; seats near the doors are often left for elderly people and parents with children.Prepared by the Movko team, November 2026. This is language help, not legal or medical advice: check the rules with the office itself.
Cheat sheet for your visit
The first phrase is open: tap ▶ to listen, or “Show” to show it to the other person. The rest of the dialogue is in the course in the app.
1
YOU START
Entschuldigung, ist hier noch frei?
Aynt-SHOOL-dee-goong, eest kheer nokh frigh?
Excuse me, is this seat free?
Or say:Ist der Platz hier noch frei?
Eest dehr plahts kheer nokh frigh?
THEY SAY
Ja, bitte, setzen Sie sich.Yah, BEE-teh, ZEH-tsayn zee zeekh.
Yes, please, sit down.
They might also say:
Ja, gern.
Yah, gehrn.
Yes, please.
2
YOU FINISH
Danke schön!
DAHN-keh shyohn!
Thank you!
THEY SAY
Gern.Gehrn.
You're welcome.
The course is in the app
This dialogue is part of the course “German for life in Germany”: 416 situations with audio, a pronunciation guide and spaced review.
On the website the first dialogue, the 112 category, the rescue phrases and the “Basics” are fully open.
Words worth knowing
ist
eest
verb
is
hier
kheer
adverb
here
noch
nokh
adverb
still, yet
frei
frigh
adjective
free
Ja
Yah
adverb
yes
setzen
ZEH-tsayn
verb
to put
7 more words, with explanations, base forms and tap-a-word help, are in the app.
Similar situations
You travel with a change to another lineBus / U-Bahn / Tram · A2 in the app
→You are on a bus and ask where to get offBus / U-Bahn / Tram · A1 in the app
→You stand on a commuter train platform and ask whether it goes in the right directionBus / U-Bahn / Tram · A2 in the app
→You ask the driver whether the bus goes where you needBus / U-Bahn / Tram · A1 in the app
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