01
der Autofahrer
driver
A person who drives a car.
example
Die Polizei kontrollierte die Geschwindigkeit der Autofahrer auf der Autobahn.
The police checked the speed of the drivers on the highway.
der Autofahrer
driver
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Meanings
Usage tips
Compound word
The word is made up of 'Auto' (car) and 'Fahrer' (driver). 'Fahrer' is derived from the verb 'fahren' (to drive / travel). An 'Autofahrer' is therefore literally a person who drives a car.
EXAMPLE
Ein guter Autofahrer bleibt auch im Stau gelassen.
A good driver stays calm even in a traffic jam.
Productive pattern
The combination '[vehicle] + Fahrer' is a very common pattern in German for naming drivers of different vehicles. Other examples are 'Radfahrer' (cyclist), 'Busfahrer' (bus driver), or 'LKW-Fahrer' (truck driver).
EXAMPLE
Auf dieser Strecke müssen sich Autofahrer und Radfahrer die Straße teilen.
On this route, drivers and cyclists have to share the road.
Typical context
The word 'Autofahrer' (driver) is used very often in news and reports about traffic, accidents, traffic jams, and traffic rules.
EXAMPLE
Wegen Glatteis warnt die Polizei alle Autofahrer zur Vorsicht.
Because of black ice, the police are warning all drivers to be careful.
Compare with
Autofahrer vs Fahrer
driver
'der Fahrer' and 'der Autofahrer' can both mean a person who drives a car. However, 'der Fahrer' is more general: it can also be someone in a bus, truck, train, or another vehicle. 'der Autofahrer' is more precise and means only a person who drives a car. Learners may confuse the words because a car driver is always also a driver. If the vehicle is important, 'Autofahrer' is more precise. If the vehicle is not important or can vary, 'Fahrer' fits better.
Autofahrer
Bei schlechtem Wetter müssen Autofahrer besonders vorsichtig fahren.
In bad weather, drivers need to drive especially carefully.
Fahrer
Der Fahrer des Busses hat wegen des Wetters langsam gebremst.
The bus driver braked slowly because of the weather.
In real life
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