bicycle
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bicycle
A vehicle with two wheels that is powered by pushing pedals with the feet. It is used for transporting people.
Bei gutem Wetter fahre ich immer mit dem Fahrrad zur Arbeit.
When the weather is good, I always ride my bicycle to work.
The word 'Fahrrad' consists of 'fahr-' (from the verb 'fahren' — to drive/ride/go) and 'Rad' (wheel). So it is literally a 'ride-wheel,' which simply explains the function of the device.
Mein altes Fahrrad braucht ein neues Rad.
My old bicycle needs a new wheel.
The activity itself is often expressed as 'Fahrrad fahren' (to ride a bicycle). Here, 'Fahrrad' is treated like part of the verb and comes before the infinitive 'fahren' at the end of the sentence.
Am Wochenende wollen wir im Park Fahrrad fahren.
At the weekend, we want to ride our bikes in the park.
To express that you use a bicycle as a means of transport, use the preposition 'mit' followed by the dative: 'mit dem Fahrrad' (by bicycle).
Er ist heute mit dem Fahrrad gekommen.
He came by bicycle today.
wheel / bike
Fahrrad and Rad can refer to the same vehicle. Fahrrad is unambiguous and stylistically neutral, while Rad is a context-dependent shortened form and may sound more informal or regional. Without clear context, Fahrrad is therefore usually the safer choice.
Ich fahre jeden Morgen mit dem Fahrrad zur Arbeit.
I ride my bicycle to work every morning.
Ich fahre jeden Morgen mit dem Rad zur Arbeit.
I ride my bike to work every morning.
