Befahren

Befahren is a German verb that means to drive on, to traverse, or to navigate over a surface or waterway. It is used for roads, streets, routes, bridges, railway lines, and waterways, and can describe both motorized and non-motorized travel. The term appears in everyday language as well as in planning, traffic reporting, and nautical or logistical contexts.

Grammar and usage notes: Befahren is formed with the inseparable prefix be- added to fahren. Because the prefix is inseparable, it remains attached in all tenses. The verb typically takes a direct object in the accusative, referring to the surface or route being traveled (eine Straße, eine Wasserstraße, eine Strecke). Present tense examples include Wir befahren die Autobahn or Die Brücke wird befahren. The perfect tense is usually formed with haben, as in Die Straße ist befahren worden.

Contexts and nuance: Befahren emphasizes the act of traveling over a path rather than merely moving along it. It is common in traffic engineering, transportation planning, and nautical or rail contexts to describe routes that are used, tested, or inspected. The term can be found in official reports, maps, and legal or regulatory language when documenting access, usage, or maintenance of infrastructure.

Etymology and related terms: Befahren is composed of be- plus fahren, the latter meaning to drive or travel by vehicle. It is related to other be- verbs that denote applying an action to a target, such as Befragung (questioning) or Behandlung (treatment). The basic contrast is with fahren alone (to drive) and overfahren (to run over).