der  Bus

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/bʊs/

🚌 What Exactly is "der Bus"?

The German word der Bus refers to a large motor vehicle used for transporting many people, especially in public local or long-distance transport. It's the direct equivalent of the English word 'bus'.

It is a masculine noun (Maskulinum), hence it uses the article "der".

Example: Der Bus kommt gleich an der Haltestelle an. (The bus will arrive at the stop shortly.)

It's a shortened form of the word Omnibus.

Article rules for der, die, and das

Grammar in Detail: Declension of "der Bus"

"Bus" is a masculine noun. Here are the declension tables for singular and plural:

Example Sentences 📝

• Nominative: Der Bus hält an dieser Haltestelle. (The bus stops at this stop.)
• Genitive: Die Farbe des Busses ist rot. (The color of the bus is red.)
• Dative: Ich fahre mit dem Bus zur Arbeit. (I go to work by bus.)
• Accusative: Siehst du den Bus dort drüben? (Do you see the bus over there?)
• Plural: Am Morgen fahren viele Busse in die Stadt. (In the morning, many buses go into the city.)

Everyday Usage: When to use "der Bus"?

"Der Bus" is primarily used in the context of public transportation. Here are some typical situations:

• Means of Transport: When talking about travelling by public transport: "Ich nehme den Bus." (I'll take the bus.) or "Wir fahren mit dem Bus in den Urlaub." (We're going on vacation by bus.)
• Timetables & Stops: In connection with schedules or locations: "Wann kommt der nächste Bus?" (When is the next bus coming?), "Der Bus hält direkt vor dem Museum." (The bus stops right in front of the museum.)
• Types of Buses: There are various compound words like Schulbus (school bus), Reisebus (coach), Linienbus (route bus), Gelenkbus (articulated bus), Doppeldeckerbus (double-decker bus).

Important Verbs:

• Bus fahren: to travel by bus - "Ich fahre jeden Tag mit dem Bus." (I travel by bus every day.)
• den Bus nehmen: to take the bus - "Nimmst du den Bus oder die Bahn?" (Are you taking the bus or the train?)
• in den Bus einsteigen / aus dem Bus aussteigen: to get on / get off the bus - "Bitte hinten einsteigen!" (Please board at the back!)
• den Bus verpassen: to miss the bus - "Oh nein, ich habe den Bus verpasst!" (Oh no, I missed the bus!)

Compared to die Bahn (the train) or das Auto (the car), der Bus specifically refers to this one mode of transport.

💡 Mnemonics for "der Bus"

Article Mnemonic:

Think of a big, strong Bulldozer - it's powerful and often associated with masculine strength ('der'). Similarly, der Bus is a big, strong vehicle ruling der road.

Meaning Mnemonic:

A Bus takes a Bunch of Us places. B-US helps you remember its function and relates to the English word 'us'.

🔄 Similar and Opposing Terms

⚠️ Similar Words (Caution: Confusion):

• Busch (der): Means 'bush' or 'shrubbery'. Sounds similar but has a completely different meaning.

😂 A Little Bus Joke

German: Fragt der Schaffner im Bus: "Ist hier jemand vom technischen Hilfsdienst?" Ein Fahrgast meldet sich: "Ja, ich!" Sagt der Schaffner: "Helfen Sie mir mal bitte, die Tür aufzumachen!"

English Translation: The conductor on the bus asks: "Is anyone here from the technical support service?" A passenger raises his hand: "Yes, me!" The conductor says: "Could you please help me open the door!"

🚌 A Poem About the Bus

Der Bus kommt angebraust

Der Bus, der kommt, er hält nicht an, (The bus arrives, it doesn't stop,)
Nein, Scherz, er bremst, so gut er kann. (No, kidding, it brakes as best it can.)
Die Türen zischen, öffnen sich, (The doors hiss, open wide,)
Einsteigen bitte, aber zügig! (Please get in, but quickly now!)

Durch Stadt und Land, bei Tag und Nacht, (Through city and country, day and night,)
Hat er uns sicher heimgebracht. (It has brought us safely home alright.)
Der Bus, mobil und sehr probat, (The bus, mobile and very apt,)
Ein Held im Verkehrs-Salat! (A hero in the traffic trap!)

❓ Riddle Time

German:
Ich habe viele Fenster, aber kein Haus.
Ich fahre auf Rädern, mal Stadt, mal Land hinaus.
Viele Menschen nehm' ich mit auf meiner Tour,
Wer bin ich nur?

English Translation:
I have many windows, but no house.
I travel on wheels, sometimes city, sometimes countryside out.
I take many people with me on my tour,
Who am I?

Solution: der Bus (the bus)

🌐 Other Information about "der Bus"

Word Origin (Etymology):

The word "Bus" is a shortening of the Latin word omnibus, meaning "for all". This reflected its purpose as a means of transport for the general public.

Typical Compound Words:

• Busbahnhof (der): Bus station (Central stop for many bus lines).
• Busfahrer/Busfahrerin (der/die): Bus driver (Person who drives the bus).
• Bushaltestelle (die): Bus stop (Place where the bus stops).
• Buslinie (die): Bus route/line (Fixed route of a bus).
• Busticket (das): Bus ticket (Ticket for the bus).
• Nachtbus (der): Night bus (Bus that runs at night).
• Schulbus (der): School bus (Bus for transporting students).