When to use it
Use it when you need cash. In Germany many small shops still prefer cash.
The sentence in English — “Where is the nearest ATM?”
"Where is the nearest ATM?" uses the abbreviation "ATM" (automated teller machine).
- Where
- adverbquestion word asking about place
- is
- verbbe · tense: present · person: third · number: singular · form of "to be"; here it says where something is
- the
- determinerdefinite article
- nearest
- adjectivesuperlative of "near"
- ATM
- nounnoun; short for automated teller machine, a cash machine
The sentence in German — “Wo ist der nächste Geldautomat?”
"Wo ist der nächste Geldautomat?" uses "Geldautomat", literally "money machine". It is masculine, so the article is "der".
- Wo
- adverbquestion word: "where"
- ist
- verbsein · tense: present · mood: indicative · person: third · number: singular · "is"
- der
- determinerdefinite article, masculine: "the"
- nächste
- adjective"nearest"
- Geldautomat
- nounmasculine compound noun: Geld (money) + Automat (machine), "ATM"
English × German — What changes from one language to the other
English uses an abbreviation; German builds a clear compound noun, "Geldautomat". Both languages use a superlative for "nearest".
Example conversation
— Wo ist der nächste Geldautomat?
— Where is the nearest ATM?
— Im Einkaufszentrum gegenüber.
— In the shopping centre opposite.