fahrend
moving
Describes a vehicle or object that is currently in motion.
EXAMPLE
Das Aufspringen auf einen fahrenden Zug ist extrem gefährlich.
Jumping onto a moving train is extremely dangerous.
fahrend
moving / traveling
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
fahrend
traveling
Describes people or groups who have no fixed residence and move from place to place, often in connection with their work or way of life.
EXAMPLE
Der Zirkus ist ein fahrendes Unternehmen mit Artisten aus aller Welt.
The circus is a traveling company with performers from all over the world.
Usage tips
Word structure
'Fahrend' (moving/traveling) is the present participle of the verb 'fahren' (to drive/travel). Such participles describe an action currently taking place and are often used as adjectives.
EXAMPLE
Ein schlafendes Kind soll man nicht wecken.
You should not wake a sleeping child.
Sentence structure and usage
This word is used almost exclusively as an adjective before a noun, e.g. 'der fahrende Bus' (the moving bus). Using it as a standalone predicate adjective, e.g. 'Der Bus ist fahrend.' (The bus is moving.), is very uncommon and sounds unnatural.
EXAMPLE
Er winkte dem fahrenden Auto hinterher.
He waved after the moving car.
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning from the noun: if 'fahrend' (moving/traveling) refers to a vehicle or object, it means 'in motion'. If it refers to people or groups, it means 'without a fixed residence' or 'traveling from place to place'.
EXAMPLE
Ein fahrender Händler verkaufte Schmuck auf dem Markt.
A traveling merchant sold jewelry at the market.
Typical collocations
In the meaning of 'traveling from place to place', 'fahrend' (traveling) is often used in fixed combinations, e.g. 'fahrende Händler' (traveling merchants), 'fahrendes Volk' (itinerant people), or historically 'fahrende Ritter' (wandering knights).
EXAMPLE
Früher zogen fahrende Gesellen von Stadt zu Stadt, um ihr Handwerk zu lernen.
In the past, traveling journeymen went from town to town to learn their trade.
Compare with
fahrend vs fliegend
flying
Fliegend and fahrend can both describe a person who works while moving from place to place without a fixed location. Fliegend is the established term in “fliegende Händler” (itinerant vendors), while fahrend more generally emphasizes moving around or living in this way. For vendors, fliegend is therefore usually the better choice.
fahrend
Die fahrende Gruppe zieht für ihre Arbeit von Ort zu Ort.
The traveling group moves from place to place for its work.
fliegend
Ein fliegender Händler verkauft seine Waren heute auf dem Marktplatz.
An itinerant vendor is selling his goods in the marketplace today.
In real life
Loading video examples...