01
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
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 02
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 Auto
car
'das Auto' and 'das Fahrzeug' can both mean a motorized means of transport. But 'Auto' is more specific: it normally means a passenger car for people. 'Fahrzeug' is more general. It can also include buses, trucks, bicycles, or, in technical texts, even other means of transportation. Learners may confuse the words because every Auto is a Fahrzeug. But not every Fahrzeug is an Auto. In everyday language, you say 'Auto' when you really mean a passenger car. 'Fahrzeug' fits better when the type is not important or when speaking generally, officially, or technically.
Fahrzeug
Auf dem Parkplatz dürfen nur Fahrzeuge mit Ausweis stehen.
Only vehicles with a permit may park in the parking lot.
Auto
Für den Termin morgen nehme ich das Auto.
For tomorrow's appointment, I'll take the car.
In real life
Loading video examples...