motor vehicle
Loading your saved state.
motor vehicle
An official and technical umbrella term for a land vehicle powered by a motor and not bound to rails. This includes especially cars, trucks, and motorcycles.
Laut Straßenverkehrsordnung ist das Führen eines Kraftfahrzeugs ohne gültige Fahrerlaubnis strafbar.
According to traffic regulations, operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver's license is a punishable offense.
The word is made up of three parts: 'Kraft' (power/motor), 'Fahr' (from 'fahren', to drive), and 'Zeug' (here: device). The ending '-zeug' is used for different kinds of devices or vehicles, as in 'Flugzeug' (airplane) or 'Werkzeug' (tool).
Ein Segelflugzeug ist ein Flugzeug ohne eigene Kraft.
A glider is an aircraft without its own power.
'Kraftfahrzeug' (motor vehicle) is a formal term from official and technical language. In everyday speech, more specific words such as 'Auto' (car), 'Wagen' (car), 'LKW' (truck), or 'Motorrad' (motorcycle) are usually used instead.
In diesem Parkhaus sind nur Kraftfahrzeuge bis 2 Tonnen Gesamtgewicht erlaubt.
Only motor vehicles up to 2 tons total weight are allowed in this parking garage.
In written usage, especially in forms, advertisements, or technical documents, the abbreviation 'Kfz' is almost always used. It is read as 'Ka-Eff-Zett'.
Für die Reise benötigen Sie einen gültigen Kfz-Führerschein.
For the trip, you need a valid motor vehicle driver's license.
vehicle
Fahrzeug is the broader term and also includes bicycles on land. Kraftfahrzeug, by contrast, is an official or technical term for a motorized land vehicle that is not bound to rails. Both terms are possible for cars and motorcycles; Kraftfahrzeug emphasizes the precise type of vehicle.
Ein Motorrad ist ein Kraftfahrzeug.
A motorcycle is a motor vehicle.
Auch ein Fahrrad ist ein Fahrzeug.
A bicycle is also a vehicle.
