Unit 12 Autobahn

The German autobahn sign

Autobahn is the German word for a major high-speed road restricted to motor vehicles and having full control of access, similar to a motorway or freeway in English-speaking countries.

In most countries, it usually refers to the German Autobahn specifically. German autobahns have no general speed limit, but the “recommended speed” is 130 km/h (80 mph). Austrian and Swiss autobahns have general speed limits of 130 km/h and 120 km/h (75 mph), respectively. In German, the word is pronounced as described above, and its plural is Autobahnen; in English, however, the segment “auto” is typically pronounced as in other English words such as “automobile”. The official name of the Autobahn in Germany is Bundesautobahn (BAB) (federal motorway).