01
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
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
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
'die Maschine' can colloquially mean a motorcycle. 'das Motorrad' is the normal and precise word for a two-wheeled motor vehicle with an engine. In this context, 'Maschine' sounds more casual and often somewhat enthusiastic, for example among motorcycle fans. In official or neutral situations, 'Motorrad' is better. If someone says 'meine Maschine steht vor der Tür' (my bike is outside), they probably mean their motorcycle, but only the context makes that clear.
Motorrad
Am Samstag hat Paul ein gebrauchtes Motorrad gekauft.
On Saturday, Paul bought a used motorcycle.
Maschine
Nach der Reparatur läuft seine alte Maschine wieder sehr ruhig.
After the repair, his old bike runs very smoothly again.
In real life
Loading video examples...