German Language

See More About:

Automobile and Driving Glossary

German Traffic Signs
An Annotated English-German Glossary

Zusatzzeichen - Word Signs - Supplementary Signs

Do you know what this sign means?

In this section we'll look at the so-called Zusatzzeichen or “supplementary” signs. These black-on-white (sometimes black-on-yellow) signs use both symbols and words to convey additional information for other signs. For instance, under a standard “No Parking” sign the Zusatzzeichen may tell you the days or times when that sign applies (“Weekdays only”). This special English-German glossary is designed to help you decipher the German on such signs.

Supplemental Traffic Signs in German

ZUSATZZEICHEN
These supplemental traffic signs usually appear with other signs indicating warnings, prohibitions, or other limits. Because they usually use words in the local language (German in this case), it helps a lot if you can understand them. Here's help!

These supplementary signs are listed below in the following categories: Instructions & Hazards (below), Frei (below), Parking, and Miscellaneous.

Instructions & Hazards

sign

< Rollsplitt - Loose gravel

Anfang - Start (of prohibition, limit)

Ende - End (of prohibition, limit)

Autobahn-Kreuz - Freeway interchange

Baustellenausfahrt - Construction site exit (watch for trucks)

bei Nässe - When wet or icy

Einfädeln lassen - Allow others to merge

Einordnen - Get in proper lane

Fahrstreifen - Lane markers (striping)

sign
Haltestelle - bus/tram stop

Licht einschalten/ausschalten - Turn headlights on/off

Nebel - Fog, foggy conditions

Notruf - Emergency telephone (roadside)

Ölspur - Oil on road

Radfahrer absteigen - Cyclists should dismount/walk

Rollsplitt - Loose gravel

Splitt/Schotter - Loose gravel

Stau - Traffic jam, stopped cars (ahead)

Streugut - Road salt/sand

Straßenschäden - Roadway damage

Umleitung - Detour

Unfallgefahr - Danger of collision

Verschmutzte Fahrbahn - Dirty roadway

Vorfahrt geändert - Right of way altered

Frei

sign Signs with the word “frei” indicate some kind of exception to the rule. The sign on the left combines a symbol with “frei” to tell you that only bicycles (Fahrräder) are exempt from whatever prohibition the main sign indicates. If, for instance, it is located under a red-and-white “Do not enter” sign, it would mean that it is okay for cyclists to enter that street, although cars and other vehicles may be prohibited.