railcar
Loading your saved state.
railcar
A rail vehicle that has its own drive system and can also carry passengers or freight. It can run on its own or pull additional unpowered cars.
Auf der Nebenstrecke verkehrt nur ein kleiner, moderner Triebwagen.
Only a small, modern railcar runs on the branch line.
The word is made up of 'Trieb' (drive/propulsion) and 'Wagen' (car). 'Trieb' comes from the verb 'antreiben' (to drive/propel) and means drive or motor. A Triebwagen is therefore literally a 'car with its own drive system'.
Der neue Triebwagen beschleunigt deutlich schneller als das alte Modell.
The new railcar accelerates significantly faster than the old model.
This word is a technical term from the railway sector. It is usually used when talking about regional trains or suburban trains, which often consist of one or a few powered cars.
Die Deutsche Bahn setzt auf dieser Strecke moderne Triebwagen ein.
Deutsche Bahn uses modern railcars on this route.
In connection with 'Triebwagen' (railcar), the verbs 'verkehren' (to run/operate), 'einsetzen' (to use/deploy), or 'fahren' (to run/go) are often used to describe service on a route.
Zwischen den beiden Städten verkehren stündlich Triebwagen.
Railcars run hourly between the two cities.
train / move / draft
'der Zug' and 'der Triebwagen' both belong to the railway. 'Der Zug' is the general term for a moving unit on rails, often with several cars. 'Der Triebwagen' is more specific: it has its own drive system and can move by itself, sometimes also with additional cars. Learners may confuse the words because a railcar can look like a small train. In everyday speech, 'Zug' is often enough; 'Triebwagen' is more precise when the vehicle's design is important.
Der Triebwagen ist kleiner als ein langer Zug und fährt auf der Nebenstrecke.
The railcar is smaller than a long train and runs on the branch line.
Paul wartet heute am Gleis auf den Zug nach Köln.
Paul is waiting at the platform today for the train to Cologne.