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elevator lift
مصعد مصعد كهربائي
ascensor elevador
آسانسور بالابر
ascenseur élévateur
लिफ्ट एलेवेटर
ascensore montacarichi
エレベーター リフト
winda elewator
elevador ascensor
lift ascensor
лифт подъемник
asansör yükseltici
ліфт підйомник
电梯 升降机

der  Fahrstuhl
A2
Estimated CEFR level.
/ˈfaːɐ̯ˌʃtuːl/

🏗️ What exactly is a Fahrstuhl?

Der Fahrstuhl (masculine noun) refers to a technical installation for the vertical transport of people or goods between different floors of a building or structure. In English, this is commonly known as an elevator (especially US English) or a lift (especially UK English).

It always takes the masculine article der. 🚨 Avoid confusing it with other means of transport like die Rolltreppe (escalator).

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Fahrstuhl

The word "Fahrstuhl" is a masculine noun. Here are the declension tables:

Singular Declension
CaseArticleNoun
NominativederFahrstuhl
GenitivedesFahrstuhls / Fahrstuhles
DativedemFahrstuhl(e)
AccusativedenFahrstuhl
Plural Declension
CaseArticleNoun
NominativedieFahrstühle
GenitivederFahrstühle
DativedenFahrstühlen
AccusativedieFahrstühle

Example Sentences

  • Wir nehmen den Fahrstuhl in den fünften Stock. (We take the elevator to the fifth floor.)
  • Der Knopf des Fahrstuhls klemmt manchmal. (The button of the elevator sometimes gets stuck.)
  • Bitte warten Sie vor dem Fahrstuhl. (Please wait in front of the elevator.)
  • Die Firma wartet regelmäßig alle Fahrstühle im Gebäude. (The company regularly maintains all elevators in the building.)

🏢 When and how to use "Fahrstuhl"?

The term Fahrstuhl is used in everyday German to describe the transport cabin that moves people or goods vertically within buildings. It's widely understood.

  • Context: Used for elevators/lifts in all kinds of buildings (residential, offices, hospitals, shopping malls).
  • Synonyms: Aufzug is a very common synonym, often considered slightly more technical but interchangeable in daily use. Lift is also used, sometimes perceived as more modern or international.
  • Distinction: A Fahrstuhl moves vertically. An Rolltreppe (escalator) moves diagonally. A Paternoster is a specific type of continuously moving open lift (rare nowadays).
  • Typical Verbs: den Fahrstuhl nehmen (to take the elevator), mit dem Fahrstuhl fahren (to ride the elevator), den Fahrstuhl rufen (to call the elevator), im Fahrstuhl stecken bleiben (to get stuck in the elevator).

💡 Mnemonics for "der Fahrstuhl"

Article Mnemonic: Think of der Mann (the man), who strongly drives (fährt) his chair (Stuhl) upwards – helps remember der Fahrstuhl.

Meaning Mnemonic: Break down the word: A Stuhl (chair) that fährt (travels/drives) – vertically! Imagine a comfy chair effortlessly transporting you between floors.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

Synonyms

  • der Aufzug: Probably the most common synonym for Fahrstuhl. Often felt to be slightly more technical or formal, but completely interchangeable in everyday life.
  • der Lift: Also a common synonym, often used in more modern contexts or reflecting international influence (from English 'lift').

Antonyms

  • die Treppe: (Stairs/staircase) The most common alternative for moving between floors manually on foot.
  • die Rolltreppe: (Escalator) Also moves people between floors, but diagonally and continuously.

⚠️ Caution: Do not confuse with der Rollstuhl (wheelchair).

😄 A Little Joke

Warum ist der Fahrstuhl immer so optimistisch?

Weil er immer positiv nach oben schaut und auch die Tiefen kennt! 😉

(Why is the elevator always so optimistic? Because it always looks up positively and also knows the depths/lows!)

📜 Poem about the Elevator

In Mauern tief, ein stiller Schacht,
Der Fahrstuhl wartet, Tag und Nacht.
Ein Druck aufs Knöpfchen, sanft und leis,
Beginnt er seine Höhenreis'.

Er trägt uns auf und nieder schnell,
Mal dunkel ist's, mal sonnenhell.
Ein treuer Diener, stark und kühl,
Bringt uns bequem an jedes Ziel.


(Deep in the walls, a silent shaft,
The elevator waits, day and night draft.
A press on the button, soft and low,
It begins its journey high to go.)

(It carries us up and down so fast,
Sometimes it's dark, sometimes sun-cast.
A loyal servant, strong and cool,
Brings us comfortably to every goal/destination.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich habe Türen, doch kein Haus,
Ich fahre auf und ab, tagein, tagaus.
Ich bring' dich hoch, ich bring' dich runter,
Mach' müde Beine wieder munter.

Wer bin ich?

(I have doors, but no house,
I travel up and down, day in, day out.
I take you high, I take you low,
Make tired legs lively and glow.)

(Who am I?)

(Solution: der Fahrstuhl / the elevator/lift)

⚙️ Other Interesting Details

Word Composition

The word "Fahrstuhl" is a compound noun, composed of:

  • fahren: to drive, travel, move.
  • der Stuhl: chair - possibly referring to early, chair-like constructions or used in the sense of 'means of transport'.

So, the combination figuratively describes a means of transport ('chair') that travels (vertically).

Trivia

  • The invention of the safety elevator by Elisha Otis in 1852 revolutionized architecture, enabling the construction of skyscrapers.
  • In Austria, the term Lift is used almost exclusively. In Switzerland, Lift and Aufzug are more common than Fahrstuhl.

📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Fahrstuhl?

The word "Fahrstuhl" is always masculine. The correct article is der Fahrstuhl. It refers to an elevator or lift used for vertical transport in buildings.

🤖

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