helicopter
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helicopter
An aircraft that generates lift and forward motion through one or more horizontally rotating rotors, allowing it to take off vertically, land vertically, and hover in the air.
Der Rettungshubschrauber landete sicher auf dem Dach des Krankenhauses.
The rescue helicopter landed safely on the roof of the hospital.
'Hubschrauber' (helicopter) is made up of 'Hub' (lift, from 'heben' (to lift)) and 'schrauben' (to screw). So the word describes figuratively how the aircraft 'screws' itself into the air with its rotors and gains altitude.
Der laute Hubschrauber weckte die ganze Nachbarschaft.
The loud helicopter woke up the whole neighborhood.
The word is often combined with other nouns to clarify its purpose. Common compounds are 'Rettungshubschrauber' (rescue helicopter), 'Polizeihubschrauber' (police helicopter), and 'Militärhubschrauber' (military helicopter).
Ein Polizeihubschrauber kreiste über der Stadt.
A police helicopter circled over the city.
In colloquial German, 'Hubschrauber' (helicopter) is very often shortened to 'der Hubi'. This form is informal and widespread.
Schau mal, da oben fliegt ein Hubi!
Look, there's a chopper flying up there!
airplane
'das Flugzeug' and 'der Hubschrauber' are both aircraft. They can be confused because both fly and can transport people or things. The difference lies in their design and movement: an airplane has fixed wings and usually needs a long runway for takeoff and landing. A helicopter has rotors, can take off and land vertically, and can also hover in the air. For normal travel between cities, people usually say 'Flugzeug'. For rescue operations, police, or hard-to-reach places, 'Hubschrauber' often fits.
Nach dem Unfall ist ein Hubschrauber auf der Wiese gelandet.
After the accident, a helicopter landed in the meadow.
Für die Reise nach Spanien nimmt Lena das Flugzeug.
Lena is taking the airplane for the trip to Spain.