cable car
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cable car
A means of transport in which cabins, gondolas, or chairs are moved while suspended from a cable, used to transport people or goods, often in mountainous terrain.
Wir nahmen die Seilbahn, um auf den Gipfel des Berges zu gelangen und die Aussicht zu genießen.
We took the cable car to get to the top of the mountain and enjoy the view.
The word is built simply: it consists of 'das Seil' (the rope/cable) and 'die Bahn' (the railway/line). So it is literally a 'Bahn' that travels on a cable.
Das dicke Stahlseil der Seilbahn wird regelmäßig überprüft.
The thick steel cable of the cable car is inspected regularly.
To express that you use a cable car, German typically uses the verbs 'nehmen' (to take) or 'fahren' (to go/ride). The appropriate preposition is 'mit' (with/by).
Wir sind mit der Seilbahn auf den Berg gefahren.
We went up the mountain by cable car.
Cable cars are almost always associated with mountains, ski resorts, and tourism. People use them to get to a summit or to have a beautiful view.
Vom Gipfel, den man nur mit der Seilbahn erreicht, hat man einen tollen Blick.
From the summit, which can only be reached by cable car, you have a great view.
gondola
Both words are related to transport in suspended cabins. “Die Seilbahn” refers to the entire system, while “die Gondel” means the individual cabin. When talking about the means of transport or the route, “Seilbahn” is appropriate; when you are sitting in a cabin, “Gondel” is the right word.
Mit der Seilbahn fahren wir heute auf den Gipfel.
We’re taking the cable car to the summit today.
In der Gondel fahren wir heute auf den Gipfel.
We’re taking the gondola to the summit today.
