moped
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moped
A small motorized two-wheeler whose name stands for 'Motor-Fahrrad' (motor bicycle). It has a design-related maximum speed of 25 km/h and, in Germany, requires only a test certificate, but not a full driver's license.
Als Teenager bin ich immer mit dem Mofa zur Schule gefahren.
As a teenager, I always rode my moped to school.
'Mofa' (moped) is a shortened word formed from the initial parts of 'Motor-Fahrrad' (motor bicycle). So it literally describes a bicycle with a small motor.
Mein erstes Fahrzeug war ein altes Mofa.
My first vehicle was an old moped.
The typical verb is 'fahren' (to ride/drive). You can either say 'Mofa fahren' (to ride a moped) directly or use the preposition 'mit' (with): 'mit dem Mofa fahren' (to go by moped).
Früher sind wir oft mit dem Mofa zum Badesee gefahren.
In the past, we often rode our mopeds to the swimming lake.
In Germany, the moped is strongly associated culturally with adolescence. For many young people in rural areas, it was their first motorized vehicle and a symbol of freedom and independence.
Mit 15 hat er endlich seine Mofa-Prüfbescheinigung bekommen.
At 15, he finally got his moped test certificate.
motorcycle
'das Motorrad' and 'das Mofa' are both motorized two-wheeled vehicles, but they do not belong to the same size class. A motorcycle can be much faster and more powerful. A 'Mofa' is a very small motor vehicle and only goes up to 25 km/h. In Germany, you do not need a regular motorcycle license for it, only a test certificate. The words can be confused because both look like small vehicles with engines. In practice: use 'Motorrad' for a more powerful two-wheeler, and 'Mofa' for a very slow small 'Motor-Fahrrad' (motor bicycle).
Das Mofa ist für Max praktisch, weil er damit kurze Wege im Dorf fahren kann.
The moped is practical for Max because he can use it for short trips around the village.
Am Montag hat Sofia ein gebrauchtes Motorrad gekauft.
On Monday, Sofia bought a used motorcycle.