der
Beifahrersitz
🚗 What does 'der Beifahrersitz' mean?
The German word Beifahrersitz refers to the seat in a vehicle (usually a car) located next to the driver's seat. It's the place for the passenger (Beifahrer / Beifahrerin).
The word is masculine, so the article is der.
- Main meaning: The front seat next to the driver's seat in a vehicle.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-tz → almost always masculine.
📊 Grammar of Beifahrersitz in Detail
The noun "Beifahrersitz" is masculine.
Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Beifahrersitz |
| Genitive | des | Beifahrersitzes |
| Dative | dem | Beifahrersitz / Beifahrersitze |
| Accusative | den | Beifahrersitz |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Beifahrersitze |
| Genitive | der | Beifahrersitze |
| Dative | den | Beifahrersitzen |
| Accusative | die | Beifahrersitze |
Examples 📝
- Der Beifahrersitz war sehr bequem. (The passenger seat was very comfortable.)
- Auf dem Beifahrersitz lag eine Karte. (There was a map on the passenger seat.)
- Kannst du bitte die Tasche auf den Beifahrersitz legen? (Can you please put the bag on the passenger seat?)
- Die Polsterung des Beifahrersitzes ist beschädigt. (The upholstery of the passenger seat is damaged.)
- In diesem Bus gibt es keine Beifahrersitze im klassischen Sinne. (There are no classic passenger seats on this bus.)
🗣️ Using 'der Beifahrersitz' Correctly
The term "Beifahrersitz" is primarily used in the context of automobiles. It clearly describes the front seat next to the driver.
- Typical usage: "Bitte schnall dich auf dem Beifahrersitz an." (Please buckle up in the passenger seat.)
- Context: Conversations about car journeys, giving directions within the car, car purchases or repairs.
- Distinction: Unlike the Fahrersitz (driver's seat) or the Rücksitze (back seats). The side where the passenger seat is located is called the Beifahrerseite (passenger side).
- Colloquial use: Sometimes jokingly referred to as the "Copilotensitz" (co-pilot's seat), especially if the passenger handles tasks like navigation.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article mnemonic: The Beifahrer (co-driver/passenger) is often male (der Mann), and the seat (der Sitz) is also masculine → der Beifahrersitz.
Meaning mnemonic: Think of the word parts: The Sitz (seat) bei (next to/with) the Fahrer (driver) → Beifahrersitz.
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Nebensitz: More general (adjacent seat), but understandable in the car context.
- Copilotensitz: Rather colloquial or used in racing/aviation ('co-pilot's seat').
⚠️ Caution: Although a passenger is sometimes called a Copilot, "Copilotensitz" is rather rare in everyday car context.
😂 A Little Joke
Frage: Warum nehmen Skelette nie den Beifahrersitz?
Antwort: Weil sie keinen Körper haben, der mitfährt!
(Question: Why do skeletons never take the passenger seat?
Answer: Because they have no body to come along!)
✒️ Poem about the Seat
Der Beifahrersitz, mein Platz im Nu,
Schau aus dem Fenster, was machst du?
Die Straße zieht vorbei geschwind,
Gut, dass ich nicht am Steuer bin.
(The passenger seat, my spot right now,
Look out the window, what do you do, how?
The road flies by so fast and free,
Good thing the driving's not up to me.)
❓ Little Riddle
Ich bin im Auto, doch fahr' nicht lenkend.
Der Fahrer sitzt links, ich rechts, bedenkend.
Manchmal für Karten, manchmal für Ruh'.
Wer oder was bin ich, sag du?
(I'm in the car, but don't drive or steer.
The driver's left, I'm right, thinking here.
Sometimes for maps, sometimes for rest.
Who or what am I, put me to the test?)
Solution: Der Beifahrersitz (The passenger seat)
🧩 Additional Info
Word Composition
The word "Beifahrersitz" is a compound noun, composed of:
Literally: The seat 'next to' the driver.
Trivia
In countries with left-hand traffic (e.g., UK, Australia, Japan), the Beifahrersitz is located on the left side of the vehicle.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Beifahrersitz?
The word "Beifahrersitz" is masculine, so the correct article is der.