passenger car
Loading your saved state.
passenger car
Abbreviation for Personenkraftwagen (passenger car); a car designed mainly for transporting people.
Für die Fahrt in den Urlaub mieten wir einen größeren Pkw.
For the trip on vacation, we're renting a larger passenger car.
'Pkw' is an abbreviation for 'Personenkraftwagen' (passenger car). This long word is made up of 'Personen' (people), 'Kraft' (power, here referring to the motor), and 'Wagen' (car).
Die Zulassung für den Personenkraftwagen muss erneuert werden.
The registration for the passenger car needs to be renewed.
The abbreviation 'Pkw' is used mainly in formal or official contexts. These include, for example, police reports, traffic news, or official documents.
Die Polizei meldet einen Stau auf der A9 nach einem Unfall mit drei Pkw.
The police report a traffic jam on the A9 after an accident involving three passenger cars.
As an abbreviation, 'Pkw' is pronounced letter by letter: 'Pe-Ka-We'.
Der Zeuge sprach von einem blauen Pkw.
The witness spoke of a blue passenger car.
car
'das Auto' and 'der Pkw' mean the same thing in many situations: a vehicle for transporting people. 'Auto' is the normal word in everyday language. 'Pkw' is an abbreviation for 'Personenkraftwagen' (passenger car) and sounds more factual or official. You often read 'Pkw' in forms, insurance documents, traffic reports, or advertisements. In conversation with friends, people usually say 'Auto'. In terms of meaning, the difference is hardly important here; style is the main point.
Der Pkw wurde nach dem Unfall in die Werkstatt gebracht.
The passenger car was taken to the repair shop after the accident.
Sie parkt das Auto vor dem Haus.
She parks the car in front of the house.