das
Gefährt
🚗 What does „das Gefährt“ mean?
The German word das Gefährt (plural: die Gefährte) generally refers to a means of transport, i.e., a vehicle or a vessel. It's a somewhat elevated or slightly archaic/literary term for something that fährt (travels/drives) or something one fährt (travels/drives) with.
In everyday language, more specific terms like Auto (car), Fahrrad (bicycle), Zug (train), or Schiff (ship) are more common. „Gefährt“ is more general and encompasses various types of vehicles.
⚠️ Attention: Do not confuse it with der Gefährte (male companion, comrade)! The noun „das Gefährt“ derives from the verb fahren (to travel, to drive).
Article rules for der, die, and das
Ge- → mostly neutral.
Nouns beginning with Ge- are usually neutral, unless other rules apply. We do not list all Ge nouns.
Ge- → mostly neutral.
Nouns beginning with Ge- are usually neutral, unless other rules apply. We do not list all Ge nouns.
📜 Grammar of „das Gefährt“ in Detail
„Das Gefährt“ is a noun with the article das (the, neuter). It follows the strong declension pattern.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das | Gefährt |
| Genitive | des | Gefährt(e)s |
| Dative | dem | Gefährt(e) |
| Accusative | das | Gefährt |
✍️ Example Sentences
- Das alte Gefährt ratterte die Straße entlang.
The old vehicle rattled down the street. - Der Erfinder präsentierte stolz sein neues Gefährt.
The inventor proudly presented his new vehicle. - Auf dem Fluss trieben verschiedene Gefährte, vom Ruderboot bis zur kleinen Jacht.
Various vessels, from rowing boats to small yachts, drifted on the river. - Für die Reise durch die Wüste benötigten sie ein robustes Gefährt.
For the journey through the desert, they needed a sturdy vehicle.
🧭 How to Use „das Gefährt“?
„Das Gefährt“ is more commonly found in written language, in literature, or when looking for a general, somewhat elevated term for a vehicle.
- General term: When the exact type of vehicle is unimportant or unknown. („Ein seltsames Gefährt näherte sich.“ - A strange vehicle approached.)
- Literary style: To create a certain atmosphere or to provide variety instead of words like „Auto“ or „Schiff“.
- Technical context (rare): Sometimes used for prototypes or unusual constructions.
In direct comparison:
💡 Mnemonics for „das Gefährt“
For the article „das“: Think of das Ding (the thing), which is neutral, that fährt (travels/drives) – it's das Gefährt.
For the meaning „vehicle“: The word contains „fährt“ (travels/drives). Ein Gefährt is something you use to fahren (travel/drive) – so it's a vehicle.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Fahrzeug: Very common, mostly for land vehicles.
- Vehikel: Elevated, sometimes slightly ironic.
- Transportmittel: Functional term (means of transport).
- Wagen: More specific (car, carriage).
- Fortbewegungsmittel: Very general (means of locomotion).
Antonyms (opposites):
Direct antonyms are difficult. One might think of terms expressing standstill or immobility:
- Hindernis: Obstacle (something preventing movement).
- Stillstand: Standstill, immobility.
⚠️ Similar Words (Watch out for confusion!):
😄 A Little Joke
Warum hat das Elektroauto keinen Auspuff?
Damit es sein inneres Leuchten nicht verliert, wenn es als modernes Gefährt unterwegs ist! ✨
Why doesn't the electric car have an exhaust pipe?
So it doesn't lose its inner glow when travelling as a modern vehicle! ✨
📜 Poem about a Gefährt
Ein Gefährt, ob alt, ob neu,
Bringt uns fort, im Nu, juchhei!
Ob auf Rädern, stolz und schnell,
Oder auf dem Wasser, hell.
Es fährt uns durch die weite Welt,
Ein treues Ding, das uns gefällt.
A vehicle, whether old or new,
Takes us away, in a moment, woo-hoo!
Whether on wheels, proud and fast,
Or on the water, bright, built to last.
It travels us through the wide world's view,
A faithful thing that we like too.
🧩 Riddle
Ich habe Räder oder einen Kiel,
Bring dich ans ferne Reiseziel.
Ich fahre, schwimme, manchmal flieg' ich gar,
Bin für die Reise immer da.
Was bin ich?
I have wheels or a keel,
Take you to a distant travel appeal.
I drive, I swim, sometimes I even fly,
For the journey, I'm always nigh.
What am I?
(Solution: das Gefährt)
Faszination Gefährt: More Info
Word Formation: The word „Gefährt“ is derived from the verb fahren (to travel/drive) with the prefix Ge-. The prefix Ge- is often used here to form collective nouns or abstract nouns (like Gebirge - mountain range, Gerede - gossip).
Common Compounds:
- Raumgefährt: A vehicle for space travel (spacecraft).
- Wassergefährt: A general term for boats and ships.
- Landgefährt: A general term for vehicles that travel on land.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Gefährt?
The German word Gefährt is a noun and takes the article das: das Gefährt. It generally means vehicle or means of transport and follows the strong declension pattern (Genitive: des Gefährt(e)s, Plural: die Gefährte).