back seat
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back seat
The rear bench seat or the rear seats in a vehicle, especially in a car.
Die Kinder streiten sich immer darum, wer auf dem Rücksitz in der Mitte sitzen darf.
The children always argue about who gets to sit in the middle of the back seat.
back seat
A figurative term for a passive or reserved role in which you leave the leadership or initiative to others.
Nach Jahren als Geschäftsführer hat er sich bewusst auf den Rücksitz zurückgezogen und berät nur noch.
After years as managing director, he deliberately moved to the back seat and now only gives advice.
The word is a clear compound of 'Rück-' (which means 'back' or 'rear') and 'Sitz' (seat). So the meaning is literal: the seat that is located in the back.
Bitte leg die Einkaufstüten auf den Rücksitz.
Please put the shopping bags on the back seat.
The literal meaning always refers to a vehicle. The figurative, passive meaning can be recognized from contexts involving organizations, politics, or careers, often in connection with verbs like 'sich zurückziehen' (to withdraw/step back).
Im Auto saß er auf dem Rücksitz.
In the car, he sat in the back seat.
The preposition 'auf' requires the accusative for direction and the dative for location. You sit down 'auf den Rücksitz' (onto the back seat; accusative), but you are already sitting 'auf dem Rücksitz' (on the back seat; dative).
Der Hund sprang sofort auf den Rücksitz.
The dog immediately jumped onto the back seat.
The figurative meaning is very often used in the fixed expression 'sich auf den Rücksitz zurückziehen' (to withdraw to the back seat). This means that someone deliberately takes on a less active role.
Nach der Geburt ihres Kindes hat sie sich beruflich bewusst auf den Rücksitz zurückgezogen.
After the birth of her child, she deliberately took a back seat professionally.
rear seat / stock / background
Both words can refer to the rear seating area of a car. Fond generally refers to the entire rear area, while Rücksitz emphasizes the rear bench seat or the rear seats as a specific place to sit. Fond is the better fit for the area, while Rücksitz usually refers to the seat itself.
Auf dem Rücksitz des Wagens lag noch genug Platz für zwei Koffer.
There was still enough room on the back seat of the car for two suitcases.
Im Fond des Wagens war noch genug Platz für zwei Koffer.
There was still enough room in the rear seating area of the car for two suitcases.
