01
das Flugzeug
airplane
A motorized aircraft with wings that is heavier than air and is used to transport people or cargo.
example
Unser Flugzeug nach Mallorca startet in einer Stunde.
Our airplane to Mallorca takes off in an hour.
das Flugzeug
airplane
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word composition
The word is made up of 'Flug' (flight, from 'fliegen' — to fly) and 'Zeug' (stuff/equipment). 'Zeug' is an old word for 'Gerät' (device) or 'Sache' (thing) and is also found in 'Fahrzeug' (vehicle) or 'Werkzeug' (tool). A 'Flugzeug' (airplane) is therefore literally a 'flying device'.
EXAMPLE
Mein neues Werkzeug liegt noch im Auto.
My new tool is still in the car.
Important prepositions
Different prepositions are used depending on the situation: you travel 'mit dem Flugzeug' (by airplane, means of transport), you sit 'im Flugzeug' (in the airplane, location), and you board by getting 'ins Flugzeug' (onto the airplane, direction).
EXAMPLE
Wir fliegen mit dem Flugzeug nach Spanien.
We are flying to Spain by airplane.
Typical verbs
Common verbs used with 'Flugzeug' (airplane) are 'starten' (to take off), 'landen' (to land), and 'besteigen' (to board/get on).
EXAMPLE
Das Flugzeug landet pünktlich um 15:30 Uhr.
The airplane lands on time at 3:30 p.m.
Compare with
Flugzeug vs Maschine
machine
'die Maschine' and 'das Flugzeug' can mean the same thing in travel and flight contexts. 'das Flugzeug' is the neutral and precise word for an aircraft with wings. In this meaning, 'die Maschine' is colloquial and is often used when talking about a flight, for example about departure, landing, or delays. They can be confused because 'Maschine' also generally means a technical device. If you want to speak clearly and neutrally, 'Flugzeug' is always appropriate. 'Maschine' sounds more like everyday language around flying.
Flugzeug
Das Flugzeug nach Berlin startet um acht Uhr.
The airplane to Berlin takes off at eight o'clock.
Maschine
Wegen des Nebels landet die Maschine erst eine Stunde später.
Because of the fog, the plane will land an hour later.
In real life
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