der Lkw
truck
Abbreviation for 'Lastkraftwagen'; a large, heavy vehicle used to transport goods by road.
EXAMPLE
Auf der Autobahn verursachte ein umgekippter Lkw einen langen Stau.
On the highway, an overturned truck caused a long traffic jam.
der Lkw
truck
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Meanings
Usage tips
Abbreviation
'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).
EXAMPLE
Der Lastkraftwagen transportierte schwere Maschinenteile.
The truck transported heavy machine parts.
Articles with abbreviations
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.
EXAMPLE
Der Lkw muss morgen zur Inspektion in die Werkstatt.
The truck has to go to the workshop for an inspection tomorrow.
Register and style
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.
EXAMPLE
Im Radio wurde vor einem Stau durch einen Lkw gewarnt.
On the radio, they warned about a traffic jam caused by a truck.
Typical collocations
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).
EXAMPLE
Der Lkw-Fahrer machte nach langer Fahrt eine Pause.
The truck driver took a break after the long drive.
Compare with
Lkw vs Lastwagen
truck
Lkw and Lastwagen both refer to a large vehicle used to transport goods. Lkw is the matter-of-fact abbreviation and is especially common in written or technical texts; Lastwagen, as the full word, sounds more general and also fits everyday speech well.
Lkw
Auf der Autobahn standen mehrere Lkw im Stau.
Several trucks were stuck in a traffic jam on the highway.
Lastwagen
Auf der Autobahn standen mehrere Lastwagen im Stau.
Several trucks were stuck in a traffic jam on the highway.
In real life
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