das
Cabrio
🚗 What does "das Cabrio" mean?
Das Cabrio (short for Cabriolet) refers to a car with a retractable or removable roof, also called Verdeck (soft top) or Dach (roof). It allows for open-air driving, which is particularly popular in good weather.
There is only this one article for this word in this meaning.
- Type: Substantiv, Neutrum (Noun, Neuter)
- Origin: From the French "cabriolet".
🚨 Attention: Sometimes people colloquially just say "Cabrio", but the correct article is always "das".
Article rules for der, die, and das
Many foreign words → mostly neutral.
There are many foreign words, we won't list them all.
-o → mostly neutral.
🧐 Grammar and Declension of "das Cabrio"
"Cabrio" is a noun of neuter gender (Neutrum). Here is its declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Nom) | das | Cabrio |
| Genitive (Gen) | des | Cabrios |
| Dative (Dat) | dem | Cabrio |
| Accusative (Acc) | das | Cabrio |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nom | die | Cabrios |
| Gen | der | Cabrios |
| Dat | den | Cabrios |
| Acc | die | Cabrios |
📝 Example Sentences
- Im Sommer fahre ich am liebsten mit dem Cabrio an den See.
(In summer, I prefer driving to the lake in the convertible.) - Der Preis des Cabrios war überraschend niedrig.
(The price of the convertible was surprisingly low.) - Sie hat sich endlich ihren Traum erfüllt und sich ein Cabrio gekauft.
(She finally fulfilled her dream and bought a convertible.) - Auf dem Parkplatz standen viele bunte Cabrios.
(There were many colorful convertibles in the parking lot.)
💨 How to use "das Cabrio"?
"Das Cabrio" is used specifically to refer to a car with a roof that can be opened. It's a common word in everyday language and in the automotive industry in German-speaking countries.
- Context: Mostly used in relation to leisure, summer, holidays, driving pleasure, and lifestyle.
- Distinction: It differs from a Limousine (sedan; closed roof, four doors), a Coupé (coupe; closed roof, typically two doors), or a Roadster (often a two-seater, sporty, with a soft top).
- Synonyms: The word Cabriolet is the longer, more formal form but is used less frequently. Offener Wagen (open car) is a descriptive alternative.
People often talk about "offen fahren" (driving open) when driving with the roof down.
🧠 Mnemonics for "das Cabrio"
-
For the article "das":
Think of das Auto (the car). Many German nouns ending in -o are neuter, like das Cabrio, das Auto, das Radio. It's *the* special car with the open roof. Remember: *Cars are often 'das' in German*.
-
For the meaning "Cabrio = convertible car":
Imagine wearing a cap. With a Cabrio, you make the "cap low" or take it off completely for the sun – just like opening the roof (the cap) of the car. The sound is similar!
↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- das Cabriolet: The original, longer form. Sounds a bit more formal.
- der offene Wagen: A descriptive term meaning "open car".
- (Colloquial) der Roadster: Often used synonymously, but usually refers to a smaller, two-seater, sporty open car.
😂 A little joke about the Cabrio
DE: Fragt der Freund: "Warum fährst du bei Regen immer offen mit deinem Cabrio?" Sagt der Fahrer: "Ich finde einfach den Knopf zum Schließen des Verdecks nicht so schnell!" 😄
EN: A friend asks: "Why do you always drive your convertible with the top down when it's raining?" The driver says: "I just can't find the button to close the roof quickly enough!" 😄
☀️ Poem: Summer Dream in a Cabrio
DE:
Das Cabrio, glänzend, sonnengeküßt,
Das Dach fährt leis zurück, wie unbewusst.
Der Fahrtwind spielt im Haar,
Ein Sommertag, so wunderbar!
Die Straße ruft, das Ziel ist weit,
Im Cabrio vergeht die Zeit
Mit Lachen, Licht und Freiheitsdrang,
Ein offener Wagen, ein Leben lang?
EN:
The Cabrio, shiny, sun-kissed bright,
The roof retracts softly, bathed in light.
The driving wind plays in the hair,
A summer day beyond compare!
The road calls out, the goal is far,
In the Cabrio, time leaves no scar,
With laughter, light, and freedom's song,
An open car, a whole life long?
❓ Riddle Time
DE:
Ich hab' ein Dach, doch nur zum Schein,
bei Sonne falt' ich's gerne ein.
Man fährt mich offen, schnell und flott,
bin weder Bus noch Motorrad.
Was bin ich?
EN:
I have a roof, but just for show,
When sun shines, I let it go.
You drive me open, quick and fast,
I'm not a bus or motorbike, my die is cast.
What am I?
Solution: das Cabrio
💡 Other Interesting Facts
- Word Formation: "Cabrio" is a shortening of the French word "Cabriolet".
- Cultural Significance: Convertibles (Cabrios) are often associated with a feeling of freedom, luxury, and a summer lifestyle. They are popular vehicles for trips and holidays in good weather.
- Technical Aspects: There are different types of convertible roofs, such as soft tops (Stoffverdecke) or retractable hardtops (often called Hardtop-Cabrio).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Cabrio?
The word "Cabrio", referring to a convertible car, is always neuter. The correct article is das Cabrio.