das Fahrzeug
vehicle
A means of transport that moves on land, such as a car, bicycle, bus, or truck.
EXAMPLE
Bitte parken Sie Ihr Fahrzeug auf den markierten Flächen.
Please park your vehicle in the marked spaces.
das Fahrzeug
vehicle
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Meanings
das Fahrzeug
vehicle
In a technical or legal sense, any means of transportation, which can also include ships and aircraft.
EXAMPLE
Die Zulassungsbescheinigung listet alle technischen Daten des Fahrzeugs auf.
The registration certificate lists all the technical data of the vehicle.
Usage tips
Word composition
The word 'Fahrzeug' (vehicle) is made up of 'fahren' (to drive/ride/travel) and 'Zeug' (stuff/equipment). Here, 'Zeug' means something like 'equipment' or 'device'. A vehicle is therefore literally a 'device for driving/traveling'.
EXAMPLE
Für den Umzug benötigen wir ein größeres Fahrzeug.
For the move, we need a larger vehicle.
Generic term
'Fahrzeug' (vehicle) is a general umbrella term. It is often made more precise by a modifying word that names the type of vehicle, e.g. 'Kraftfahrzeug' (motor vehicle: car, truck), 'Wasserfahrzeug' (watercraft: ship), or 'Luftfahrzeug' (aircraft: airplane).
EXAMPLE
Ein Fahrrad ist ein Fahrzeug, aber kein Kraftfahrzeug.
A bicycle is a vehicle, but not a motor vehicle.
Context clue
The broader meaning, which also includes ships and aircraft, is found almost only in official or technical language. Words like 'Zulassung' (registration/approval), 'technisch' (technical), or 'amtlich' (official) point to this context.
EXAMPLE
Jedes Fahrzeug muss eine eindeutige Identifikationsnummer haben.
Every vehicle must have a unique identification number.
Typical verbs
Common verbs used with 'Fahrzeug' (vehicle) are 'ein Fahrzeug führen' (to operate/drive a vehicle), 'lenken' (to steer), or 'steuern' (to control/steer). In an administrative context, people speak of 'ein Fahrzeug anmelden' (to register a vehicle) or 'abmelden' (to deregister it).
EXAMPLE
Wer darf dieses Fahrzeug führen?
Who is allowed to operate this vehicle?
Compare with
Fahrzeug vs Kfz
motor vehicle
Fahrzeug is the more general term for a movable means of transport, including, for example, a bicycle. Kfz, by contrast, specifically refers to a motor-powered vehicle that is not bound to rails. Use Fahrzeug in general, and Kfz when the motor drive is important.
Fahrzeug
Das Fahrrad ist ein umweltfreundliches Fahrzeug für kurze Wege.
A bicycle is an environmentally friendly vehicle for short distances.
Kfz
Das Kfz des Lieferdienstes fährt jeden Morgen zu den Kunden.
The delivery service’s motor vehicle drives to customers every morning.
In real life
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