01
der Diesel
diesel
A fuel used in diesel engines.
example
Die Preise für Diesel sind in letzter Zeit stark gestiegen.
Diesel prices have risen sharply recently.
der Diesel
diesel
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Origin of the word
The word 'Diesel' is derived from the surname of its inventor, Rudolf Diesel. He developed the diesel engine at the end of the 19th century.
EXAMPLE
Rudolf Diesel hätte wohl nicht gedacht, wie verbreitet seine Erfindung einmal sein würde.
Rudolf Diesel probably would not have imagined how widespread his invention would one day become.
Meaning from context
Whether the fuel, the vehicle, or the engine is meant can be recognized from the verb. 'Diesel tanken' (to fill up with diesel) refers to the fuel, while 'einen Diesel fahren' (to drive a diesel) refers to the car.
EXAMPLE
Ich muss an der nächsten Tankstelle Diesel tanken.
I need to fill up with diesel at the next gas station.
Typical collocations
When 'Diesel' refers to the fuel, it is often used with the verbs 'tanken' (to fill up), 'verbrauchen' (to consume), or in connection with 'Preis' (price) and 'Liter' (liter).
EXAMPLE
Mein Auto verbraucht nur fünf Liter Diesel auf 100 Kilometer.
My car uses only five liters of diesel per 100 kilometers.
Colloquial use
In colloquial speech, 'der Diesel' is very often used as a short form for a car with a diesel engine. In more formal or technical texts, one would be more likely to write 'Dieselfahrzeug' (diesel vehicle).
EXAMPLE
Immer mehr Städte denken über Fahrverbote für Diesel nach.
More and more cities are considering driving bans for diesel vehicles.
Compare with
Diesel vs Benzin
gasoline
'Diesel' and 'Benzin' are both fuels for vehicles, but they belong to different engines. You need 'Diesel' for a diesel engine, and 'Benzin' for a gasoline engine. The words are easy to confuse because you fill up with both at the gas station and both power cars. The important point is: choose the word based on the vehicle's engine. Using the wrong fuel can be a problem for the car.
Diesel
An der Tankstelle prüft Ali zuerst, ob die Säule wirklich Diesel hat.
At the gas station, Ali first checks whether the pump really has diesel.
Benzin
Meine Mutter hat am Morgen Benzin getankt, weil ihr Auto fast leer war.
My mother filled up with gasoline in the morning because her car was almost empty.
In real life
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