das  Autohaus

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaʊtoˌhaʊs/

🚗 What Exactly is an Autohaus?

An Autohaus (neuter gender, article: das) is a business or establishment specializing in the sale of motor vehicles, especially cars. Often, repairs, maintenance, and the sale of spare parts are also offered there.

It's a place where you can buy, sell, lease, or sometimes rent new or used cars. Many Autohäuser (plural) are specialized in certain brands (Vertragshändler - authorized dealers), while others operate independently of brands (markenunabhängig).

🧐 Grammar at a Glance: das Autohaus

The word "Autohaus" is a neuter noun and always takes the article das.

💡 Example Sentences

• Wir haben unser neues Auto im Autohaus um die Ecke gekauft.
  (We bought our new car at the dealership around the corner.)
• Der Mechaniker im Autohaus hat den Schaden schnell behoben.
  (The mechanic at the dealership fixed the damage quickly.)
• Viele Autohäuser bieten jetzt auch Elektrofahrzeuge an.
  (Many dealerships now also offer electric vehicles.)
• Der Geschäftsführer des Autohauses präsentierte die neuesten Modelle.
  (The manager of the dealership presented the latest models.)

💬 How to Use 'Autohaus'?

The term Autohaus is used in everyday language to refer to a business that sells and often services cars. It's a common and widely understood term.

• Typical Context: Buying, selling, leasing, repairing, or maintaining cars.
• Formality: Used in both formal and informal conversations and texts.
• Distinction: While a Werkstatt (die Werkstatt - workshop/garage) primarily focuses on repairs, an Autohaus typically includes sales as well. An Autohändler (der Autohändler - car dealer) can be a person or a company, whereas Autohaus specifically refers to the physical place or business.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic: Think of das Haus (the house). An Autohaus is just a special type of Haus (for cars), and both are neuter: das Haus, das Autohaus.

Meaning Mnemonic: Break down the word: Auto (car) + Haus (house) = A house for cars. Simple!

↔️ Synonyms & Related Terms

Related Terms (Beware of Confusion):

• Die Werkstatt: Workshop/garage, place for repairs, not necessarily sales.
• Der Gebrauchtwagenhändler: Dealer specializing in used cars.

😄 A Little Car Dealership Joke

Fragt der Kunde im Autohaus: "Ist dieser Kleinwagen wirklich sparsam?"
Verkäufer: "Aber sicher! Er verbraucht fast kein Benzin! Die meiste Zeit steht er sowieso in der Werkstatt!"

Translation:
A customer at the car dealership asks: "Is this compact car really economical?"
Salesperson: "Absolutely! It uses almost no fuel! Most of the time, it's in the workshop anyway!"

📜 Poem about the Autohaus

Im Autohaus, blank und rein,
steht manch glänzender Schein.
Ob neu, ob alt, ob groß, ob klein,
hier findet jeder sein.

Motoren summen, leise nur,
man träumt von mancher Spritztour.
Der Verkäufer mit Charme und Spur
preist Technik und Kontur.

Translation:
In the dealership, shiny and clean,
many a gleaming sight is seen.
Whether new or old, big or lean,
here everyone finds their scene.

Engines hum, just a low sound,
one dreams of trips all around.
The salesman with charm profound
praises tech specs that astound.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich habe viele Fenster, aber bin kein Wohnhaus.
Ich habe viele Betten (Stellplätze), aber schlafe nicht.
Man kauft bei mir vier Räder und fährt dann fort.
Was bin ich für ein Ort?

Translation:
I have many windows, but I'm not a house to live in.
I have many beds (parking spots), but I don't sleep.
You buy four wheels from me and then drive away.
What kind of place am I?

Solution: Das Autohaus (The car dealership)

🧩 Word Building Blocks: Autohaus

The word "Autohaus" is a compound noun, made up of:

• Das Auto: Short for Automobil (from Greek autós 'self' and Latin mobilis 'movable'). Meaning 'car'.
• Das Haus: Meaning 'house' or 'building'.

Together, the meaning is clear: A house or building dealing with cars (sales, repairs, etc.). This straightforward composition makes it easy to understand.