Breakdown of Der Fußgänger läuft an der Absperrung vorbei, obwohl es gefährlich ist.
sein
to be
es
it
an
at, on (vertical) / to (addressee) / of (in quantity/stock expressions)
laufen
to walk / to run (steady pace, jog)
gefährlich
dangerous
obwohl
although
der Fußgänger
the pedestrian
vorbei
past
die Absperrung
the barrier
Questions & Answers about Der Fußgänger läuft an der Absperrung vorbei, obwohl es gefährlich ist.
Why do we need both an and vorbei here?
To say you are going "past" something, German uses a two-part preposition (a circumposition): an goes before the noun and vorbei goes after it. You cannot just use vorbei by itself.
Why is the feminine noun Absperrung using the article der?
The two-part preposition an ... vorbei always triggers the dative case. Even though there is movement, the preposition treats the obstacle as a fixed location you are passing by. In the dative case, the feminine article die changes to der.
Why does the verb ist go at the very end of the sentence?
The word obwohl (although) is a subordinating conjunction. This means it introduces a dependent clause, which always pushes its conjugated verb to the very end of that clause.
Doesn't läuft mean "runs"? Why does the English translation say "is walking"?
While laufen often means "to run," it is also widely used for simply walking or going on foot, especially when a destination or direction is involved. Since the subject is a Fußgänger (pedestrian), walking is the most natural meaning here.
Learn Der Fußgänger läuft an der Absperrung vorbei, obwohl es gefährlich ist and more in German
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free