truck
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truck
Abbreviation for 'Lastkraftwagen'; a large, heavy vehicle used to transport goods by road.
Auf der Autobahn verursachte ein umgekippter Lkw einen langen Stau.
On the highway, an overturned truck caused a long traffic jam.
'Lkw' is an abbreviation and stands for the word 'Lastkraftwagen' (truck). This word is made up of 'Last' (load/cargo), 'Kraft' (power/engine), and 'Wagen' (vehicle).
Der Lastkraftwagen transportierte schwere Maschinenteile.
The truck transported heavy machine parts.
The article 'der' in 'der Lkw' comes from the article of the last word in the full form: 'der Wagen' (the vehicle/car). This rule applies to most German abbreviations.
Der Lkw muss morgen zur Inspektion in die Werkstatt.
The truck has to go to the workshop for an inspection tomorrow.
The abbreviation 'Lkw' is the normal term in everyday language, in the news, and with the police. The full word 'Lastkraftwagen' is used less often and sounds more formal or very technical.
Im Radio wurde vor einem Stau durch einen Lkw gewarnt.
On the radio, they warned about a traffic jam caused by a truck.
The abbreviation 'Lkw' is frequently used to form new compound nouns. Typical examples are 'Lkw-Fahrer' (truck driver), 'Lkw-Unfall' (truck accident), or 'Lkw-Maut' (truck toll).
Der Lkw-Fahrer machte nach langer Fahrt eine Pause.
The truck driver took a break after the long drive.
passenger car
'der Lkw' and 'der Pkw' are both abbreviations for vehicles on the road. They look similar as words and are therefore easy to confuse. The difference is clear: an 'Lkw' is a large vehicle for transporting goods or heavy items. A 'Pkw' is a normal car for people. These words are important in forms, insurance, or traffic rules. A good way to remember them is: Lkw transports loads, Pkw transports people.
Vor dem Supermarkt lädt ein Lkw neue Getränkekisten ab.
In front of the supermarket, a truck is unloading new crates of drinks.
Für die Fahrt zum Arzt nimmt Maria ihren Pkw.
Maria takes her car for the trip to the doctor.