der
Benzinpreis
⛽ What exactly is 'der Benzinpreis'?
Der Benzinpreis is the German term for the petrol price or gasoline price. It refers to the price consumers have to pay for one liter of petrol (Benzin or Ottokraftstoff) at a gas station (Tankstelle).
It's a compound noun (Kompositum) made up of Benzin (petrol/gasoline) and Preis (price). Since Preis is masculine in German (der Preis), the compound noun der Benzinpreis is also masculine. There's only this one article.
The price consists of various components, including the product price for the petrol itself, taxes (Energiesteuer - energy tax, Mehrwertsteuer - VAT), and profit margins for oil companies and gas station operators. It is often subject to significant fluctuations (Schwankungen).
🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Der Benzinpreis
The noun der Benzinpreis is masculine. Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Benzinpreis |
| Genitive | des | Benzinpreises |
| Dative | dem | Benzinpreis(e) |
| Accusative | den | Benzinpreis |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Benzinpreise |
| Genitive | der | Benzinpreise |
| Dative | den | Benzinpreisen |
| Accusative | die | Benzinpreise |
Example Sentences
- Der Benzinpreis steigt schon wieder.
(The petrol price is rising again.) - Wegen des hohen Benzinpreises fahre ich weniger Auto.
(Because of the high petrol price, I drive my car less.) - Mit dem aktuellen Benzinpreis wird Tanken zum Luxus.
(With the current petrol price, filling up becomes a luxury.) - Ich habe den Benzinpreis an der Anzeigetafel gesehen.
(I saw the petrol price on the display board.) - Die Benzinpreise sind in den letzten Monaten stark geschwankt.
(The petrol prices have fluctuated significantly in recent months.)
🗣️ When do people talk about 'der Benzinpreis'?
The term der Benzinpreis is primarily used in the following contexts:
- News and Economics (Nachrichten und Wirtschaft): Reports on fuel cost trends, economic analyses, discussions about taxes and levies on petrol.
- Everyday Language (Alltagssprache): Conversations about the cost of driving, comparing prices between different gas stations (Tankstellen), complaining about high prices.
- Transport Policy (Verkehrspolitik): Debates on measures to regulate prices, promote alternative fuels, or provide relief for drivers.
People often use the more general terms Spritpreise (fuel prices, colloquial) or Kraftstoffpreise (fuel prices) when referring to both petrol and diesel. Der Benzinpreis specifically refers to the price of petrol (Ottokraftstoff).
💡 Mnemonics to Remember 'der Benzinpreis'
Article Mnemonic: Think of der Preis (the price). Like many things related to money and cost ending in '-preis', it's masculine: der Benzinpreis, der Verkaufspreis (sales price), der Sonderpreis (special price). It costs 'dear' (sounds like 'der') when the Benzinpreis is high!
Meaning Mnemonic: Picture a Benz car at the gas station, looking sadly at the Preis (price) sign. Benz + Preis = Benzinpreis, the cost of filling it up.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Der Spritpreis: Colloquial term for fuel price, often used for both petrol and diesel.
- Der Kraftstoffpreis: General term for fuel price, includes petrol.
- Der Ottokraftstoffpreis: Technically precise term for petrol price.
- Die Tankkosten (Plural): Refers generally to the costs incurred when refueling.
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
Direct antonyms are difficult. You could mention opposing concepts:
- Der Preisverfall / Die Preissenkung: Describes falling petrol prices (price drop / price reduction).
- Die Kostenlosigkeit: The state of being free of charge (theoretical opposite of price).
Potentially Confusing Words:
- Der Dieselpreis: The price for diesel fuel, not petrol.
- Der Ölpreis: The price for crude oil, which heavily influences the petrol price but isn't the same thing.
😂 A Little Chuckle
German: Fragt der Tankwart den Autofahrer: "Normalbenzin oder Super?"
Antwortet der Fahrer: "Egal, bei dem Benzinpreis ist eh nichts mehr super!"
English Translation: The gas station attendant asks the driver: "Regular or super petrol?"
The driver replies: "Doesn't matter, with this petrol price, nothing is 'super' anymore!"
✒️ Poem: High Petrol Price
German:
Der Benzinpreis, oh Schreck, oh Graus,
Er treibt die Tränen uns heraus.
Die Anzeige steigt, das Portemonnaie,
Tut bei jedem Tanken weh.
Man überlegt, man rechnet knapp,
Macht Rad statt Auto schlapp?
Doch braucht man Sprit für Weg und Ziel,
Kost' es auch noch so viel.
English Translation:
The petrol price, oh dear, oh dread,
It makes us cry, fills hearts with lead.
The display climbs, the wallet sighs,
Painful each time the fuel level dies.
One thinks, one calculates with care,
Use bikes instead, leave cars right there?
But fuel is needed, near and far,
No matter how high the costs are.
❓ Little Riddle
German:
Ich habe keinen Mund, doch sage viel,
Über Kosten und das Fahrgefühl.
Ich steige und ich falle oft,
Auf mich wird täglich neu gehofft (dass ich falle).
Was bin ich?
English Translation:
I have no mouth, yet I speak volumes,
About costs and driving customs.
I rise and fall quite frequently,
Pinned hopes on my decline, you see.
What am I?
Solution: der Benzinpreis (the petrol price)
🧩 Composition and Interesting Facts
Word Composition:
Der Benzinpreis is a compound noun (Kompositum), composed of:
The grammatical gender is determined by the last part of the compound noun (the base word, Grundwort), which is Preis. Therefore, it's der Benzinpreis.
Interesting Facts (Wissenswertes):
- Petrol prices often vary significantly between different gas stations (branded vs. independent) and even depending on the time of day.
- International events (e.g., conflicts in oil-producing regions) and the US dollar exchange rate greatly influence the Benzinpreis in Germany.
- A significant portion of the Benzinpreis consists of taxes (Energiesteuer - energy tax and Mehrwertsteuer - VAT).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Benzinpreis?
The word "Benzinpreis" is masculine. The correct article is der: der Benzinpreis. It refers to the cost of petrol/gasoline at the gas station.