der
Kleinwagen
🚗 What Exactly is a 'Kleinwagen'?
A Kleinwagen is the German term for a small car or subcompact car. In vehicle classification, it typically sits above the Kleinstwagen (microcar/city car, e.g., Smart Fortwo) and below the Kompaktklasse (compact class, e.g., VW Golf).
These cars are known for their agility in city traffic (Stadtverkehr), good fuel economy (geringer Kraftstoffverbrauch), and relatively low purchase and maintenance costs.
The word 'Kleinwagen' is masculine in German, so it's always der Kleinwagen.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-en → mostly masculine.
1. All diminutives with '-chen' are neutral, like 'das Mädchen'. 2. Nouns derived from verbs are always neutral ('das Schrieben'). 3. There are many -en words, we won't list them all.
🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Der Kleinwagen
The noun 'Kleinwagen' is masculine. Here are the declension tables:
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Kleinwagen |
| Accusative | den | Kleinwagen |
| Dative | dem | Kleinwagen |
| Genitive | des | Kleinwagens |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Kleinwagen |
| Accusative | die | Kleinwagen |
| Dative | den | Kleinwagen |
| Genitive | der | Kleinwagen |
Example Sentences
- Der Kleinwagen passt perfekt in die enge Parklücke.
(The small car fits perfectly into the tight parking space.) - Sie hat sich einen sparsamen Kleinwagen gekauft.
(She bought herself an economical small car.) - Mit dem Kleinwagen kommt man gut durch die Stadt.
(With the small car, you can get through the city well.) - Der Verbrauch des Kleinwagens ist sehr niedrig.
(The fuel consumption of the small car is very low.) - Viele Fahranfänger entscheiden sich für Kleinwagen.
(Many novice drivers opt for small cars.)
🚦 When to Use 'Kleinwagen'?
The term 'Kleinwagen' is used to describe a specific vehicle category. Typical use cases include:
- City Traffic (Stadtverkehr): Ideal for driving in the city due to its small size and maneuverability.
- Second Car (Zweitwagen): Often used as a practical second car for short distances.
- Novice Drivers (Fahranfänger): Popular among new drivers because they are easy to handle and usually less expensive.
- Economy (Wirtschaftlichkeit): Often emphasizes low fuel consumption and affordable maintenance costs.
Compared to a Kleinstwagen (microcar/city car), a `Kleinwagen` usually offers more space (4-5 seats) and is slightly larger. Compared to a Kompaktwagen (compact car like a VW Golf), it is smaller and often cheaper.
🧠 Memory Hooks
Article Mnemonic: Think of a *Wagon* (like a station wagon, but the German 'Wagen' means car in general). A wagon often carries *him* (masculine). So, it's *der* Wa*gen*, and thus *der* Klein*wagen*.
Meaning Mnemonic: The word literally breaks down: 'klein' means small, and 'Wagen' means car or wagon. So, a 'Kleinwagen' is simply a small car!
↔️ Similar & Opposite: Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Words)
- Kleinauto: (Small car) - A very direct alternative.
- Stadtauto: (City car) - Emphasizes its primary use case.
- Kompaktauto (partially): (Compact car) - Some overlap, but 'Kompaktwagen' usually refers to the next larger class.
Antonyms (Opposite Words)
- Limousine: (Sedan) - Larger car, often with a separate trunk.
- Kombiwagen (Kombi): (Station wagon / Estate car) - Larger, with more cargo space.
- SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle): Larger, often with off-road capabilities.
- Großraumlimousine / Van: (Minivan / MPV) - Significantly larger, for more people/cargo.
- Oberklassewagen: (Luxury car / Full-size luxury car) - Large, luxurious vehicles.
⚠️ Caution: Not every small car is technically a 'Kleinwagen' according to official vehicle segments. Sometimes 'Kleinstwagen' (microcars) might be informally called 'Kleinwagen'.
😄 A Little Joke
German: Warum nehmen Ameisen keinen Kleinwagen?
Weil sie nicht alle reinpassen würden, wenn sie ihre Tanten mitnehmen!
English: Why don't ants take a small car (Kleinwagen)?
Because they wouldn't all fit if they brought their aunts! (A little pun: 'Ameisen' = ants, 'Tanten' = aunts)
✍️ Poem about the Kleinwagen
German:
Der Kleinwagen, flink und fein,
Passt in jede Lücke rein.
Spart den Sprit, schont das Portemonnaie,
Fährt durch die Stadt, ohje, ohje!
Maskulin, das ist sein Fall,
Der Wagen für den Überall.
Nicht groß, doch praktisch, das ist klar,
Ein treuer Freund, Jahr für Jahr.
English Translation:
The small car, quick and fine,
Fits into every gap in line.
Saves fuel, is kind to the wallet,
Drives through the city, don't stall it!
Masculine, that is its case,
Der car for every place.
Not big, but practical, that's clear,
A loyal friend, year after year.
❓ Little Riddle
German:
Ich habe vier Räder, doch bin nicht sehr breit,
Für die enge Stadt bin ich stets bereit.
Mein Artikel ist 'der', ich bin sparsam und klein,
Was könnte ich wohl für ein Fahrzeug sein?
English:
I have four wheels, but I'm not very wide,
For the narrow city, I'm ready to ride.
My article is 'der', I'm thrifty and small,
What kind of vehicle could I be, after all?
Solution: Der Kleinwagen (The small car)
💡 Other Interesting Info
Word Composition: The word 'Kleinwagen' is a compound noun, formed from:
- klein: (small) - Adjective describing the size.
- Wagen: (car, vehicle, wagon) - Noun, masculine ('der Wagen').
Trivia: Models like the VW Polo, Opel Corsa, or Ford Fiesta are classic examples of `Kleinwagen` that have been very popular in Germany.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Kleinwagen?
The German word 'Kleinwagen' (small car/subcompact) is masculine. The correct article is therefore der Kleinwagen. It refers to a car class smaller than compact but larger than microcars.