The -tion that sounds like -zion in German

1. 1
   Information/ɪnfɔʁmaˈtsjoːn/

   information desknoun

   A counter where you can get information.
2. 2
   Station/ʃtaˈtsi̯oːn/

   stationnoun

   A place where a bus, train or subway regularly stops and people get on and off.
3. 3
   Situation/zitʊ̯aˈtsi̯oːn/

   situationnoun

   The circumstances you are in right now.
4. 4
   Portion/pɔʁˈtsjoːn/

   portionnoun

   An amount of food for one person.
5. 5
   Aktion/akˈtsi̯oːn/

   salenoun

   A deal where something is sold cheaper for a short time.
6. 6
   Rezeption/ʁetsɛpˈtsi̯oːn/

   front desknoun

   The place in a hotel where guests check in and ask questions.
7. 7
   Reklamation/ʁeklamaˈtsi̯oːn/

   complaintnoun

   A complaint about something you bought.
8. 8
   Lotion/loˈtsi̯oːn/

   lotionnoun

   A liquid cream for the skin.
9. 9
   Funktion/fʊŋkˈtsi̯oːn/

   functionnoun

   Something a device is able to do.
10. 10
    Konzentration/kɔntsɛntʁaˈtsi̯oːn/

    concentrationnoun

    Giving your full attention to one thing.

The sentences

1. Entschuldigung, wo finde ich hier die Information?

   Excuse me, where can I find the information desk here?

2. An welcher Station muss ich zum Flughafen aussteigen?

   Which stop do I get off at for the airport?

3. Können Sie mir die Situation kurz erklären?

   Could you explain the situation to me briefly?

4. Kann ich auch eine kleine Portion bekommen?

   Could I also get a small portion?

5. Gilt die Aktion auch für diese Jacke?

   Does the sale also apply to this jacket?

6. Bitte melden Sie sich zuerst an der Rezeption.

   Please check in at the reception desk first.

7. Ich habe eine Reklamation zu diesen Schuhen.

   I have a complaint about these shoes.

8. Haben Sie auch eine Lotion für trockene Haut?

   Do you also have a lotion for dry skin?

9. Welche Funktion hat dieser Knopf hier?

   What does this button here do?

10. Bei diesem Lärm fehlt mir die Konzentration.

    With this noise, I can't concentrate.

Pronunciation

• Information/ɪnfɔʁmaˈtsjoːn/

  The t in -tion sounds like the z in Zahn, so it sounds like zjon.

• Station/ʃtaˈtsi̯oːn/

  It starts with the sh sound, and -tion sounds like -tsion with a long o.

• Situation/zitʊ̯aˈtsi̯oːn/

  The S at the start is soft and buzzes, as in Sonne.

• Aktion/akˈtsi̯oːn/

  -tion sounds like -tsion and carries the stress.

• Rezeption/ʁetsɛpˈtsi̯oːn/

  The o in the ending is pronounced long.

• Reklamation/ʁeklamaˈtsi̯oːn/

  The stress falls on the syllable -tion, with a long o.

• Lotion/loˈtsi̯oːn/

  Unlike in English, the ending does not sound like sh but like zjon.

• Funktion/fʊŋkˈtsi̯oːn/

  The n before the k sounds like the ng in Bank.

• Konzentration/kɔntsɛntʁaˈtsi̯oːn/

  The z and the t in -tion both sound like ts.

Good to know

Information

In train stations, a sign with a small i points to the information desk. There you can get help with connections and platforms.

Bahnsteig

Trains stop at numbered platforms, and the display boards show the destination and departure time. Notices on the platform also say where the train stops.

Fahrkarte

You can buy tickets at a machine, at a counter or online. You often have to validate them before the trip or have them ready, because ticket checks on trains are common.

Questions

How do I ask where the information desk is in German?

You can say: "Entschuldigung, wo finde ich hier die Information?" Information means a counter where you get information.

How do I ask which stop to get off at for the airport in German?

Say: "An welcher Station muss ich zum Flughafen aussteigen?" Station is a place where a bus, tram or train regularly stops and people get on and off.

How is -tion pronounced in German words like Information?

The t in -tion sounds like the z in Zahn, so the ending sounds like zjon, and the o is long. In Lotion it does not sound like the English sh.