off-road vehicle
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off-road vehicle
A robust motor vehicle with four-wheel drive that is specially designed for driving on unpaved or difficult terrain such as forest paths, mud, or in the mountains.
Mit seinem Geländewagen konnte der Förster auch entlegene Gebiete im Wald erreichen.
With his off-road vehicle, the forester was able to reach even remote areas in the forest.
The word is a clear compound of 'Gelände' (rough, natural terrain) and 'Wagen' (car). So it is literally a 'car for the terrain'.
Ein normaler Pkw wäre auf diesem Weg stecken geblieben, aber der Geländewagen schaffte es.
A normal car would have gotten stuck on this path, but the off-road vehicle made it.
The name of the vehicle directly describes its main function: the ability to drive 'im Gelände' (off-road), that is, away from paved roads. This characteristic distinguishes it from normal cars.
Dieser Geländewagen wurde speziell für Expeditionen im Gelände entwickelt.
This off-road vehicle was developed especially for expeditions in rough terrain.
The word is often used in sentences that describe difficult terrain. Typical formulations are 'mit dem Geländewagen durch den Wald fahren' (to drive through the forest in an off-road vehicle), 'im Gebirge unterwegs sein' (to be traveling in the mountains), or 'durch Schlamm und Wasser fahren' (to drive through mud and water).
Nach dem starken Regen war der Waldweg nur noch mit einem Geländewagen befahrbar.
After the heavy rain, the forest path was only passable with an off-road vehicle.
jeep
'der Jeep' and 'der Geländewagen' can both mean, in everyday language, a robust car that can also drive on rough roads. 'Geländewagen' is the precise general term for this type of vehicle. 'Jeep' is often used colloquially for any off-road vehicle, but it is actually also the name of a specific car brand. That is why the words can easily be confused. If the brand is important, you say 'Jeep'. If only the type of car is meant, 'Geländewagen' is more precise.
Vor der Reise mieten wir einen Geländewagen für die Fahrt in die Berge.
Before the trip, we rent an off-road vehicle for the drive into the mountains.
Er fährt einen alten Jeep, weil er oft auf unbefestigten Wegen arbeiten muss.
He drives an old jeep because he often has to work on unpaved roads.