01
das Auto
car
A multi-track motor vehicle that is mainly used to transport people and is powered by an engine. Short form of Automobil.
example
Morgen fahre ich mit dem Auto zur Arbeit.
Tomorrow I'm going to work by car.
das Auto
car
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word origin
'Auto' is a short form of the word 'Automobil' (automobile). This is made up of 'auto' (Greek for 'self') and 'mobil' (Latin for 'movable'), so it describes something that moves by itself.
EXAMPLE
Die Geschichte des Automobils begann im 19. Jahrhundert.
The history of the automobile began in the 19th century.
Common in compounds
The word 'Auto' (car) is the first part of many compound nouns in German. These often describe things related to driving.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe meinen Autoschlüssel verloren.
I lost my car key.
Typical prepositions
To use 'Auto' (car) correctly, the prepositions are important. You travel 'mit dem Auto' (by car), you get 'ins Auto' (into the car) (direction), and you sit 'im Auto' (in the car) (location).
EXAMPLE
Fahren wir mit dem Auto oder mit dem Zug?
Are we going by car or by train?
Typical verbs
Common verbs used in connection with 'Auto' (car) are 'Auto fahren' (to drive), 'ein Auto parken' (to park a car), 'ein Auto waschen' (to wash a car), or 'ein Auto reparieren' (to repair a car).
EXAMPLE
Ich muss lernen, wie man richtig Auto fährt.
I have to learn how to drive properly.
Compare with
Auto vs Fahrzeug
vehicle
'das Auto' and 'das Fahrzeug' can both mean a motorized means of transport. But 'Auto' is more specific: it normally means a passenger car for people. 'Fahrzeug' is more general. It can also include buses, trucks, bicycles, or, in technical texts, even other means of transportation. Learners may confuse the words because every Auto is a Fahrzeug. But not every Fahrzeug is an Auto. In everyday language, you say 'Auto' when you really mean a passenger car. 'Fahrzeug' fits better when the type is not important or when speaking generally, officially, or technically.
Auto
Für den Termin morgen nehme ich das Auto.
For tomorrow's appointment, I'll take the car.
Fahrzeug
Auf dem Parkplatz dürfen nur Fahrzeuge mit Ausweis stehen.
Only vehicles with a permit may park in the parking lot.
In real life
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