der Sprinter
sprinter
A track-and-field athlete who specializes in short-distance races and can run very fast.
EXAMPLE
Der jamaikanische Sprinter gewann die Goldmedaille über 100 Meter.
The Jamaican sprinter won the gold medal in the 100 meters.
der Sprinter
sprinter / van
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Meanings
der Sprinter
van
A small transporter or delivery van. The name originally comes from a Mercedes-Benz model, but it is often used generally for vehicles of this type.
EXAMPLE
Die Umzugsfirma kam mit einem großen Sprinter, um die Möbel abzuholen.
The moving company came with a large van to pick up the furniture.
Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'der Sprinter' (sprinter) is derived from the verb 'sprinten' (to sprint). So it describes a person or a vehicle made for short, fast distances.
EXAMPLE
Der Athlet sprintete ins Ziel.
The athlete sprinted to the finish line.
Context clue
To distinguish the meaning, pay attention to the context. Words like 'Leichtathletik' (track and field), 'Stadion' (stadium), or 'Rennen' (race) point to the athlete. Words like 'Umzug' (move), 'transportieren' (to transport), or 'mieten' (to rent) point to the van.
EXAMPLE
Der Sprinter trainiert täglich für die Olympischen Spiele.
The sprinter trains every day for the Olympic Games.
Register and style
The term 'Sprinter' for a small transporter is a deonym. Originally, it was the model name of a Mercedes-Benz vehicle; today, the term is used colloquially for many delivery vans of this size.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du für den Umzug einen Sprinter mieten?
Can you rent a van for the move?
Compare with
Sprinter vs Transporter
van / transporter
Transporter is the general term for a medium-sized vehicle used to transport goods or people. Sprinter comes from a Mercedes-Benz model, but it is also often used generally for a delivery van of this kind. When the vehicle's make is unknown, Transporter is more unambiguous.
Sprinter
Für den Umzug mieten wir einen geräumigen Sprinter von Mercedes-Benz.
We are renting a spacious Mercedes-Benz Sprinter for the move.
Transporter
Für den Umzug mieten wir einen geräumigen Transporter unbekannter Marke.
We are renting a spacious van of an unknown make for the move.
In real life
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