das
Feuerwehrauto
🚒 What exactly is a Feuerwehrauto?
The German word das Feuerwehrauto (noun, neuter) refers to a special motor vehicle used by the fire department (die Feuerwehr) for firefighting and technical rescue operations. It is typically painted red and equipped with special signals (Blaulicht - blue light and Martinshorn - siren). On board, there is equipment such as hoses (Schläuche), pumps (Pumpen), ladders (Leitern), and often a water tank (Wassertank).
It is a compound word made up of Feuer (fire), Wehr (defense/protection or the organization 'Feuerwehr'), and Auto (car/vehicle).
⚠️ There are many different types of fire engines (e.g., Löschgruppenfahrzeug, Drehleiter, Rüstwagen), but the general term is always 'das Feuerwehrauto'.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-o → mostly neutral.
🧐 Grammar: The Declension of "das Feuerwehrauto"
The word "Feuerwehrauto" is a noun of neuter gender (sächlich). The article is das. It follows the strong declension pattern.
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Nom.) | das | Feuerwehrauto |
| Genitive (Gen.) | des | Feuerwehrautos |
| Dative (Dat.) | dem | Feuerwehrauto |
| Accusative (Acc.) | das | Feuerwehrauto |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Nom.) | die | Feuerwehrautos |
| Genitive (Gen.) | der | Feuerwehrautos |
| Dative (Dat.) | den | Feuerwehrautos |
| Accusative (Acc.) | die | Feuerwehrautos |
Example Sentences
- Im Notfall kommt das Feuerwehrauto schnell zur Unfallstelle. (In an emergency, the fire engine quickly arrives at the accident scene.)
- Die Leiter des Feuerwehrautos reicht bis zum Dach. (The ladder of the fire engine reaches the roof.)
- Mit dem Feuerwehrauto transportieren die Feuerwehrleute ihre Ausrüstung. (The firefighters transport their equipment with the fire engine.)
- Die Kinder bestaunten das Feuerwehrauto. (The children marvelled at the fire engine.)
- Mehrere Feuerwehrautos fuhren mit Blaulicht vorbei. (Several fire engines drove past with blue lights flashing.)
🚨 When to use "Feuerwehrauto"?
The term "Feuerwehrauto" is generally used for any vehicle belonging to the fire department (Feuerwehr) and used in operations. It's a common term in everyday language, especially among children.
- Everyday language: "Schau mal, ein Feuerwehrauto!" (Look, a fire engine!)
- News reporting: "Ein Feuerwehrauto war schnell vor Ort." (A fire engine was quickly on the scene.)
- Technical jargon: In the technical language of firefighters, more specific terms like Löschgruppenfahrzeug (LF - pumper), Tanklöschfahrzeug (TLF - water tender) or Drehleiter (DLK - turntable ladder) are often used. Here, "das Feuerwehrauto" serves more as a collective term.
It's important to note that not every red vehicle with a blue light is a Feuerwehrauto (e.g., Rettungswagen - ambulance, Notarztwagen - emergency doctor's car), although they often respond to emergencies together.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article 'das': Think of the word "Auto". Many car makes or vehicle types in German are neuter: das Auto, das Fahrzeug (vehicle), das Mobil (mobile). Therefore, it's also: das Feuerwehrauto.
Meaning: Break down the word: Feuer (fire) + Wehr (defense/brigade) + Auto (car). A car that serves to defend against fire. Quite logical!
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (similar meaning)
- Löschfahrzeug: A specific type of fire engine, primarily for extinguishing fires.
- Einsatzfahrzeug: A more general term for vehicles of emergency services, police, fire department, etc.
- Feuerwehrfahrzeug: A very direct alternative (fire department vehicle).
- Colloquial/Children's language: Tatütata (onomatopoeia for the siren sound)
Related Terms (not direct synonyms)
- Feuerwehr: The organization itself.
- Feuerwehrmann / Feuerwehrfrau: The firefighters (male/female).
- Rettungswagen: Ambulance (often similar in appearance, but different function).
- Polizeiauto: Police car.
Direct antonyms (opposites) for "Feuerwehrauto" hardly exist. One could at most contrast it with a normal private vehicle (Privatfahrzeug).
😂 A Little Joke
DE: Fragt der Fahrlehrer den Prüfling beim Einparken eines Feuerwehrautos: "Na, wie weit sind Sie jetzt vom Hydranten weg?" Antwortet der Prüfling: "Maximal drei Schlauchlängen!"
EN: The driving instructor asks the examiner while parking a fire engine: "So, how far are you from the hydrant now?" The examiner replies: "Three hose lengths maximum!"
📜 Poem: The Red Car
DE:
Rot und groß, mit lautem Horn,
fährt es eilig schnell nach vorn.
Leiter, Schläuche mit dabei,
hilft bei Feuer, kurz nach drei.
Das Feuerwehrauto, schnell und klar,
ist für uns alle immer da!
EN:
Red and big, with a loud horn,
It hastily drives forward fast.
Ladder, hoses included too,
Helps with fire, shortly past two.
The fire engine, quick and clear,
Is always there for all of us here!
❓ Riddle Time
DE:
Ich bin rot und habe Leitern,
fahre schnell, um Not zu lindern.
Mit Wasser kämpf' ich gegen Brand,
ahr' durch Stadt und über Land.
Mein Signal hörst du von weit.
Was bin ich wohl, zur Einsatzzeit?
EN:
I am red and I have ladders,
I drive fast to ease disasters.
With water, I fight against the blaze,
Driving through town and country ways.
You hear my signal from afar.
What am I then, when needed for the war (against fire)?
Solution: Das Feuerwehrauto (The fire engine)
✨ Other Interesting Facts
Word Composition:
- Feuer: Refers to fire.
- Wehr: Means defense, protection; here also short for the organization "Feuerwehr" (fire brigade/department).
- Auto: Short for Automobil, refers to the vehicle.
Trivia:
- Although most fire engines in Germany are red (specifically RAL 3000 "Feuerrot" - fire red), there are regional variations or other colors for special purposes (e.g., white, yellow).
- Modern fire engines (moderne Feuerwehrautos) are high-tech vehicles with complex equipment for a wide range of scenarios, from fires and accidents to hazardous material incidents.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Feuerwehrauto?
The word "Feuerwehrauto" is a neuter noun. Therefore, the correct article is always das Feuerwehrauto.