Driving
On the road and at the petrol station, plus the words on the fine you hope never comes.
35 words · Level A2
| German | Translation | Listen |
|---|---|---|
| das AutoAutos | car | |
| fahren | to go, to travel (by vehicle); to drive | |
| der FührerscheinFührerscheine | driver's license | |
| die StraßeStraßen | street | |
| die AutobahnAutobahnen | motorway | |
| die AmpelAmpeln | traffic light | |
| die KreuzungKreuzungen | intersection | |
| der ParkplatzParkplätze | parking lot | |
| parken | to park | |
| die TankstelleTankstellen | petrol station | |
| tanken | to refuel | |
| das BenzinBenzine | petrol | |
| der StauStaus | traffic jam | |
| die GeschwindigkeitGeschwindigkeiten | speed | |
| der VerkehrVerkehre | traffic | |
| der UnfallUnfälle | accident | |
| bremsen | to brake | |
| die BremseBremsen | brake | |
| der ReifenReifen | tire | |
| der MotorMotoren | engine | |
| das LenkradLenkräder | steering wheel | |
| der SicherheitsgurtSicherheitsgurte | seatbelt | |
| anschnallen | to fasten | |
| der SpiegelSpiegel | mirror | |
| abbiegen | to turn | |
| die EinbahnstraßeEinbahnstraßen | one-way street | |
| die Vorfahrt | right of way | |
| die WerkstattWerkstätten | workshop | |
| die PannePannen | breakdown | |
| der BlinkerBlinker | indicator | |
| das KennzeichenKennzeichen | number plate | |
| der StrafzettelStrafzettel | parking ticket | |
| die UmleitungUmleitungen | detour | |
| die BaustelleBaustellen | construction site | |
| überholen | to overtake |
How these words get used
The rule that surprises newcomers is Vorfahrt. At a Kreuzung with no signs and no Ampel, the car coming from the right goes first, even on a small residential street. On the Autobahn many stretches have no fixed limit, but plenty do, and the recommended Geschwindigkeit is 130 km/h.
fahren takes sein in the perfect when you are going somewhere: Ich bin nach Hamburg gefahren. With a direct object it takes haben: Ich habe das Auto gefahren.
Watch the verbs. abbiegen and anschnallen split: Biegen Sie links ab. überholen does not: Er überholt den Bus. At the Tankstelle you fill up first and pay inside, giving your pump number. Benzin is petrol in general, and the standard grade on the pump is labelled Super. A Panne is a breakdown. An Unfall is a crash.
Translations are written with AI and checked as I go. If one looks wrong, reply to any email and tell me.