das Motorrad
motorcycle
A two-wheeled motor vehicle with an engine.
EXAMPLE
Bei schönem Wetter fährt er am liebsten mit dem Motorrad zur Arbeit.
When the weather is nice, he prefers to ride his motorcycle to work.
das Motorrad
motorcycle
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Meanings
Usage tips
Compound word
'Motorrad' (motorcycle) is a compound noun made from 'der Motor' (engine) and 'das Rad' (wheel/bike). Literally, it is therefore a wheel or bike with an engine. The article 'das' comes from the head word 'Rad'.
EXAMPLE
Mein Fahrrad hat keinen Motor, es ist kein Motorrad.
My bicycle doesn't have an engine; it's not a motorcycle.
Typical verb
The appropriate verb with 'Motorrad' (motorcycle) is 'fahren' (to drive/ride). You say 'Motorrad fahren' (to ride a motorcycle) or 'mit dem Motorrad fahren' (to go by motorcycle).
EXAMPLE
Am Wochenende fahren wir oft mit dem Motorrad in die Berge.
On weekends, we often ride the motorcycle into the mountains.
Typical collocations
Around the topic of 'Motorrad' (motorcycle), there are fixed expressions such as 'den Motorradführerschein machen' (to get a motorcycle license), 'einen Motorradhelm tragen' (to wear a motorcycle helmet), or 'auf dem Motorrad sitzen' (to sit on the motorcycle).
EXAMPLE
Ohne einen Motorradhelm darf man nicht fahren.
You are not allowed to ride without a motorcycle helmet.
Compare with
Motorrad vs Maschine
machine
Both words can refer to the same two-wheeled motor vehicle. „Das Motorrad“ is the neutral standard term, while „die Maschine“ sounds informal and often suggests personal enthusiasm or an impression of power. „Motorrad“ is usually more suitable in factual statements.
Motorrad
Nach der Reparatur fuhr er mit seinem Motorrad durch die Berge.
After the repairs, he rode his motorcycle through the mountains.
Maschine
Nach der Reparatur fuhr er stolz mit seiner starken Maschine durch die Berge.
After the repairs, he proudly rode his powerful motorcycle through the mountains.
In real life
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