der  Automarkt

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaʊtoˌmaʁkt/

What does der Automarkt mean? 🚗

Der Automarkt (noun, masculine) refers to the market where motor vehicles, especially passenger cars (PKW - Personenkraftwagen), are traded. This includes both the sale of new cars (Neuwagen) by manufacturers and dealers, and the trade of used cars (Gebrauchtwagen) between dealers or private individuals.

The term can refer to the entire market in a region or country (e.g., der deutsche Automarkt - the German car market) or sometimes to a specific sales event or place where cars are offered (although this is less common and more likely called an Automesse (car show/fair) or Gebrauchtwagenplatz (used car lot)).

There is only one article for this word: der.

Grammar Garage: Declining Automarkt

The noun 'Automarkt' is masculine. Here are the declension tables:

Example Sentences

• Der deutsche Automarkt erholt sich langsam. (The German car market is recovering slowly. - Nominative Singular)
• Die Entwicklung des Automarktes wird von Experten genau beobachtet. (The development of the car market is closely monitored by experts. - Genitive Singular)
• Viele Händler sind auf dem Automarkt tätig. (Many dealers are active on the car market. - Dative Singular)
• Die neuen Umweltauflagen beeinflussen den Automarkt stark. (The new environmental regulations strongly influence the car market. - Accusative Singular)
• Auf den internationalen Automärkten gibt es große Unterschiede. (There are big differences in the international car markets. - Dative Plural)

⚠️ Note: The genitive singular can be 'des Automarktes' or 'des Automarkts'. Both forms are correct, 'Automarkts' is slightly more common. Similarly for the dative singular ('dem Automarkt' or less commonly 'dem Automarkte').

Usage Insights: When to use Automarkt

The term der Automarkt is primarily used in economic and everyday contexts:

• Economic News: Reports on sales figures, trends, manufacturer shares (e.g., Absatzeinbruch auf dem Automarkt - slump in sales in the car market).
• Car Buying/Selling: When talking about buying or selling a new or used car (e.g., Ich suche auf dem Automarkt nach einem günstigen Kleinwagen - I'm looking for a cheap small car on the car market).
• General Discussions: Conversations about the automotive industry, prices, models, etc.

Compared to more specific terms:

• Gebrauchtwagenmarkt: Refers exclusively to the trade in used vehicles.
• Neuwagenmarkt: Refers exclusively to the trade in new vehicles.
• Kfz-Markt: (Kraftfahrzeug-Markt) A slightly more formal and comprehensive term that can include other motor vehicles (trucks, motorcycles) besides cars. Automarkt is often used synonymously but usually focuses on cars.

Memory Hooks for Article & Meaning

Here are a couple of mnemonic devices:

For the article 'der': Think of a stereotypical male car enthusiast – 'der Mann' – who is interested in 'der Markt' (the market). He explores der Automarkt.

For the meaning: The word is a straightforward compound: Auto (car) + Markt (market) = A market for cars.

Related Terms: Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar, but different terms

• Automesse: (Car show/fair) - An exhibition, often for new models, not primarily a sales market.
• Autohaus: (Car dealership) - An individual business selling cars.
• Schrottplatz: (Scrapyard/junkyard) - Place for old, often non-operational cars.

A Little Joke 😂

German: Warum nehmen Skelette keine Autos vom Automarkt?

Weil sie keine Karosserie haben, um sie zu fahren!

English: Why don't skeletons buy cars from the car market?

Because they have no body to drive them! (Pun on 'Karosserie' - car body, and 'Körper' - body)

Rhymes for the Car Market 🎶

German:
Auf dem Automarkt, groß und breit,
steht manch ein Wagen schon bereit.
Neu und glänzend, alt und matt,
für jeden Typ ist etwas satt.
Der Markt pulsiert, der Preis wird heiß,
man sucht das Auto, wohl und weis'.
Von Stadt zu Stadt, von Ort zu Ort,
fährt man dann mit dem Neuen fort.

English Translation:
On the car market, wide and vast,
many a car's shadow is cast.
New and shiny, old and worn,
for every type, a choice is born.
The market pulses, the price runs hot,
one seeks the car, wisely sought.
From town to town, from place to place,
one drives off in the new one's grace.

What am I? A Riddle 🤔

German:
Ich bin ein Ort, doch ohne festes Haus,
mal wachse ich stark, mal seh' ich schwächlich aus.
Hier wechseln Blech und Räder den Besitz,
man handelt, feilscht mit Eifer und mit Witz.
Von neu bis alt findest du hier Gefährt,
mein Name ist männlich, das ist wissenswert.

Wer bin ich?
... Der Automarkt

English Translation:
I am a place, but without a fixed house,
sometimes I grow strong, sometimes I look weak (like a mouse).
Here metal and wheels change ownership's hand,
people trade, haggle with zeal across the land.
From new to old, you'll find vehicles here,
my name is masculine, that much is clear.

What am I?
... Der Automarkt (The car market)

Interesting Tidbits about der Automarkt 🤓

Word Composition:

The word 'Automarkt' is a compound noun, made up of:

• Auto: Short for Automobil (from Greek autós 'self' and Latin mobilis 'movable')
• Markt: Meaning market (from Latin mercatus 'trade, market')

Economic Significance:

Der Automarkt is a crucial indicator of a country's economic health. Sales figures (Absatz) are often published and analyzed monthly because the automotive industry is a major economic sector.