noun
pavement, sidewalk
B1
Gehsteig means pavement or sidewalk — the pedestrian path beside a road. It's a masculine noun (der Gehsteig) with plural Gehsteige. Declension follows regular patterns (Genitiv des Gehsteigs). Regional synonyms exist (Gehweg, Bürgersteig). No special prepositions; typical collocations: auf dem Gehsteig gehen. Used in everyday speech.
Examples
Die Passanten gingen auf dem Gehsteig, als plötzlich ein Rennradfahrer vorbeifuhr.
The pedestrians were walking on the sidewalk when suddenly a racing cyclist rode past.
Bitte bleib auf dem Gehsteig, dort ist es sicherer.
Please stay on the pavement; it's safer there.
In dieser Stadt sind die Gehsteige breit und gut gepflegt.
In this city the sidewalks are wide and well maintained.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture a marked path next to a road where people walk — that's the Gehsteig.
Sounds like 'gay-stake' — imagine a raised path like a stake to walk on.
DER Gehsteig — imagine a male crossing-guard (DER) standing on the pavement.
Notes
Gehsteig is more common in some regional varieties; in many areas 'Bürgersteig' or 'Trottoir' (regional) may be used.