SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/de-verspaetung

The loudspeaker says 'Der Zug hat Verspätung.' What is happening?

Verspätung means delay.

Start playing free

  1. The train is late. ✔
  2. The train is full.
  3. The train is canceled.

Why: Verspätung means delay or lateness. Der Zug hat Verspätung means the train is running late, not canceled and not full.

Huh, didn't know that: Duden's example is 'der Zug hatte zehn Minuten Verspätung', the train was ten minutes late.

The dad joke
What candy is always running late to things? Choco-late.
Like this card?
Play the game

References

Answer: The train is late.. Verspätung means delay or lateness. Der Zug hat Verspätung means the train is running late, not canceled and not full.

  1. Wiktionary: Verspätung en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Verspätung
    delay, lateness, late arrival
    Checked 2026-10-10.

Think this answer is wrong? Tap "Challenge this answer" on the card in the game and tell us why.

Test yourself in the game

LanguagesHow do you ask for 'A ticket to Berlin, please' in German?LanguagesA German station announcement says 'Gleis 7'. What does that number tell you?LanguagesHow do you say a polite 'Hello' or 'Good day' to a stranger in German?

That's stuff everyone should know.