das  Autowrack

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaʊ̯toˌvʁak/

🚗 What exactly is an Autowrack?

An Autowrack (neuter gender) refers to a severely damaged, no longer roadworthy, or scrap car. It often concerns vehicles involved in accidents or very old cars whose repair is no longer economically viable.

The word is a compound of Auto (car) and Wrack (wreckage of a ship or vehicle). Since Wrack is neuter (das Wrack), das Autowrack is also neuter. ⚠️ There is only this one article.

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: das Autowrack

The noun "Autowrack" is neuter. Therefore, the correct article is always das.

Declension

Example Sentences

1. Nach dem schweren Unfall war das Auto nur noch ein Autowrack.
   (After the severe accident, the car was just a wreck.)
2. Auf dem Schrottplatz standen viele alte Autowracks.
   (There were many old car wrecks in the scrapyard.)
3. Der Wert des Autowracks war nur noch der Schrottpreis.
   (The value of the car wreck was only its scrap price.)
4. Man fand Spuren an dem Autowrack.
   (Traces were found on the car wreck.)

💬 How to use "Autowrack"?

The term Autowrack is mostly used to describe the condition of a car after a serious accident or long neglect. It implies that the vehicle is no longer roadworthy or repairable and is often destined for scrapping.

• Context: Accident reports, scrapyards, descriptions of very old/broken vehicles.
• Distinction: A Gebrauchtwagen (used car) is roadworthy. An Oldtimer (classic car) might be old but is well-maintained and valuable. A Schrottauto (scrap car) is a synonym often used interchangeably.
• Colloquial use: Sometimes the term is used slightly exaggeratedly for a car in very poor condition, even if it might still run ("Meine alte Karre ist ein echtes Wrack." - "My old jalopy is a real wreck.").

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic: Think of things associated with cars that are neuter in German: DAS Auto itself, DAS Blech (sheet metal), DAS Metall (metal). When it's wrecked, it stays neuter: DAS Autowrack.

Meaning Mnemonic: An Auto that's had a knack (a hit/damage) becomes a Wrack. Auto + Wrack = Autowrack.

↔️ Similar and Opposite Terms

😄 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Autowracks nie an Rennen teil?

(Why do car wrecks never participate in races?)

Weil sie schon beim Start total ausgebrannt sind!

(Because they are totally burned out right at the start!)

📜 Rusty Rhymes

Am Straßenrand, im nassen Gras,
steht traurig und allein das Wrack, blass.
Einst fuhr es schnell, mit Glanz und Licht,
jetzt fehlt ihm Motor und Gesicht.
Ein Autowrack, vom Rost zerfressen,
hat seine besten Tag' vergessen.

(By the roadside, in the wet grass,
stands sadly and alone the wreck, pale.
Once it drove fast, with shine and light,
now it lacks engine and face.
A car wreck, eaten by rust,
has forgotten its best days.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich habe Räder, doch ich roll' nicht mehr.
Ich hatte Glanz, doch nun bin ich leer.
Nach Crash und Rost ist meine Zeit vorbei,
auf dem Schrottplatz endet meine Fahrerei.

Was bin ich?

(I have wheels, but I roll no more.
I had shine, but now I am bare.
After crash and rust, my time is over,
in the scrapyard ends my driving career.

What am I?)

Solution: das Autowrack

⚙️ Word Components & Trivia about das Autowrack

Word Composition:

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

• Auto (das): Short form of Automobil (car).
• Wrack (das): Wreckage, remains of a destroyed vehicle or ship.

The neuter gender (das) is determined by the base word "Wrack".

Trivia:

Car wrecks (Autowracks) are an important source of recyclable materials like steel, aluminum, and plastics. Proper disposal is crucial to prevent environmental pollution from leaking fluids (oil, coolant).