Word
In unserem Abteil ist noch ein Platz am Fenster frei.
Meaning
In our compartment there is still a seat free by the window.
Part of speech
sentence
Pronunciation
Course
Lesson
Breakdown of In unserem Abteil ist noch ein Platz am Fenster frei.
sein
to be
in
in
dem
the; (masculine or neuter, dative)
das Fenster
the window
Questions & Answers about In unserem Abteil ist noch ein Platz am Fenster frei.
What does Abteil mean here?
Abteil means a compartment or section in a train. In older-style trains, it can mean a closed compartment with several seats. In modern usage, it can also mean a seating section or area of the carriage.
So In unserem Abteil means in our compartment / in our section.
Why is it in unserem Abteil and not in unser Abteil?
Because in here is showing location, not movement, so it takes the dative case.
- in unser Abteil would suggest movement into it in some contexts
- in unserem Abteil means in our compartment as a location
The noun Abteil is neuter, so the dative form of unser is unserem.
Why does the sentence begin with In unserem Abteil, and why is ist before ein Platz?
This is because German is a verb-second language in main clauses.
The first position in the sentence can be filled by many things, not just the subject. Here, In unserem Abteil is put first. Once that happens, the finite verb must come second:
- In unserem Abteil = first position
- ist = second position
- noch ein Platz am Fenster frei = the rest
So even though ein Platz is the subject, it comes after the verb.
Why is it and not ?