der
Kleinbus
🚌 What Exactly is a Kleinbus?
A Kleinbus is a motor vehicle for passenger transport that is larger than a Personenkraftwagen (PKW) (passenger car) but smaller than a regular Omnibus (bus). Typically, it seats around 8 to 16 people (including the driver). It's often used for transporting smaller groups, as a shuttle, or for family trips.
The article is der: der Kleinbus (the minibus/van).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-us/-uss/-uß → mostly masculine.
Including -ismus nouns (100% masculine, e.g. der Tourismus)
🧐 Grammar: Der Kleinbus in Detail
The word "Kleinbus" is a masculine noun. Here is its declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Kleinbus |
| Genitive | des | Kleinbusses |
| Dative | dem | Kleinbus |
| Accusative | den | Kleinbus |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Kleinbusse |
| Genitive | der | Kleinbusse |
| Dative | den | Kleinbussen |
| Accusative | die | Kleinbusse |
Example Sentences
- Der Kleinbus wartet schon vor der Tür. (The minibus is already waiting at the door.)
- Wir mieten einen Kleinbus für den Ausflug am Wochenende. (We are renting a minibus for the trip on the weekend.)
- Die Sitze des Kleinbusses sind sehr bequem. (The seats of the minibus are very comfortable.)
- Viele Hotels bieten einen Shuttle-Service mit Kleinbussen an. (Many hotels offer a shuttle service with minibuses.)
💡 Usage Tips for "der Kleinbus"
The term Kleinbus is used to describe vehicles that fill the gap between large cars (like Vans or SUVs) and large buses.
- Context: Often used in the context of travel, group transport, shuttle services (e.g., Flughafen-Shuttle - airport shuttle, Hotel-Shuttle), or also in trades and delivery services (as a van variant).
- Distinction: A Bus or Omnibus is significantly larger and designed for many more passengers (usually over 20). A PKW (Personenkraftwagen) typically has a maximum of 7-9 seats. A Van can sometimes be used synonymously, but often also refers to vehicles focusing on cargo space rather than passengers.
- Colloquial Use: Sometimes specific models like the "VW Bus" or "Sprinter" (from Mercedes-Benz) are generically referred to as a Kleinbus.
🧠 Mnemonics
Article Aid (der): Think of der driver – drivers are often male, and they drive the Kleinbus. The masculine association helps remember "der".
Meaning Aid (Minibus): A Kleinbus is like a normal Bus, but simply klein (small). The combination "klein" + "Bus" perfectly describes the vehicle.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Minibus: Very common synonym, often interchangeable.
- Van: Can be synonymous, but often also refers to cargo vans.
- Personentransporter: More technical term, emphasizes the purpose (passenger transporter).
- Bulli: Colloquial, often used specifically for the VW Bus.
- Sprinter: Brand name (Mercedes-Benz), often used generically for this class of vehicle.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
😂 A Little Joke
Warum passen Elefanten nicht in einen Kleinbus?
(Why don't elephants fit in a minibus?)
Weil sie immer ihren Rüssel vorne raushängen lassen wollen und das den Fahrer stört!
(Because they always want to hang their trunk out the front, and that bothers the driver!)
✍️ Poem about the Kleinbus
Der Kleinbus, flott und sehr bequem,
Macht Reisen wirklich angenehm.
Nicht riesig, doch auch nicht zu klein,
Passt eine nette Gruppe rein.
Zum Ausflug, Sport, zur Arbeitsfahrt,
Er ist stets pünktlich, gut am Start.
Der Fahrer lenkt ihn sicher hin,
Im Kleinbus steckt viel Gutes drin.
(The minibus, swift and very comfy,
Makes traveling truly pleasant.
Not huge, but also not too small,
A nice group fits inside.
For trips, sports, commutes to work,
It's always punctual, ready to start.
The driver steers it safely there,
There's much good within the minibus.)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich hab mehr Sitze als ein Auto meist,
Doch bin kein Riese, wie du sicher weißt.
Ich fahre Gruppen, klein und fein,
Zum Ziel bring' ich sie, groß und klein.
Mein erster Teil sagt, ich bin nicht grandios,
Mein zweiter Teil fährt auf der Straße los.
Was bin ich?
(I usually have more seats than a car,
But I'm no giant, as you surely know.
I drive groups, small and fine,
To their destination, I bring them, large and small.
My first part says I'm not grand,
My second part drives off on the road.)
(Answer: der Kleinbus)
🧩 Other Information
Word Composition: The word "Kleinbus" is a compound noun, composed of:
- klein: adjective meaning "small".
- Bus: noun, short for Omnibus (from Latin "omnibus" = for all).
Trivia: Many well-known vehicle models fall into the Kleinbus category, such as the VW Transporter (often affectionately called "Bulli"), the Ford Transit, or the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter in its passenger versions.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Kleinbus?
The word "Kleinbus" is masculine, so the correct article is der. It refers to a minibus or van used for transporting small groups.