chassis / landing gear
das Fahrwerk, die Fahrwerke
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chassis
The complete set of parts of a vehicle that create the connection to the road, such as wheels, wheel suspension, suspension, and brakes.
Das sportliche Fahrwerk des Autos sorgt für eine gute Straßenlage in Kurven.
The car's sporty chassis provides good road holding in curves.
landing gear
The retractable device of an airplane that is used for takeoff, landing, and taxiing on the ground.
Kurz nach dem Start zog der Pilot das Fahrwerk ein.
Shortly after takeoff, the pilot retracted the landing gear.
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Fahrwerke |
| genitive | des Fahrwerkes |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Fahrwerk | die Fahrwerke |
| accusative | das Fahrwerk | die Fahrwerke |
| dative | dem Fahrwerk | den Fahrwerken |
| genitive | des Fahrwerkes des Fahrwerks | der Fahrwerke |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
The word is made up of 'fahren' (to drive/travel) and 'Werk' (work/mechanism). Here, 'Werk' does not mean 'factory', but rather 'mechanism' or 'technical device' — in other words, the technology responsible for driving or moving.
Der Mechaniker überprüft das Fahrwerk des Rennwagens.
The mechanic checks the racing car's chassis.
Whether 'Fahrwerk' refers to a car's chassis (meaning 1) or an airplane's landing gear (meaning 2) can be recognized from context. Words like 'Auto' (car) or 'Kurve' (curve) point to the first meaning, while 'Flugzeug' (airplane), 'Pilot' (pilot), or 'landen' (to land) point to the second.
Das Fahrwerk des Sportwagens ist sehr hart eingestellt.
The sports car's chassis is set very stiffly.
Der Pilot meldete ein Problem mit dem Fahrwerk.
The pilot reported a problem with the landing gear.
In connection with cars, 'Fahrwerk' is often described with adjectives such as 'sportlich' (sporty), 'komfortabel' (comfortable), or 'hart' (stiff/hard). Typical verbs are 'einstellen' (to adjust) or 'optimieren' (to optimize).
Ein komfortables Fahrwerk ist bei langen Reisen sehr angenehm.
A comfortable chassis is very pleasant on long trips.
With airplanes, the typical verbs are 'einziehen' (to retract, after takeoff) and 'ausfahren' (to extend, before landing). You also say that the pilot 'mit dem Fahrwerk landet' (lands with the landing gear).
Vor der Landung muss der Pilot das Fahrwerk ausfahren.
Before landing, the pilot must extend the landing gear.
drive / running gear
Fahrwerk is a general term for the parts that connect a vehicle to the ground, such as the wheels, suspension, and brakes. In a tracked vehicle, Laufwerk more precisely refers to the unit consisting of the tracks, wheels, and suspension. Laufwerk is therefore the better term for this specific tracked system.
Die Werkstatt überprüft am Auto das Fahrwerk mit Rädern, Federung und Bremsen.
The workshop is inspecting the car’s running gear, including its wheels, suspension, and brakes.
Die Werkstatt überprüft am Kettenbagger das Laufwerk mit Ketten, Rädern und Aufhängung.
The workshop is inspecting the tracked excavator’s running gear, including its tracks, wheels, and suspension.
