der
Kraftstoffverbrauch
⛽ What does "der Kraftstoffverbrauch" mean?
Der Kraftstoffverbrauch refers to the amount of fuel (like Benzin - petrol/gasoline, Diesel, gas, or electricity for electric cars) that a vehicle or machine needs to cover a certain distance or perform a specific task. It's a measure of energy efficiency.
The word is masculine, so it's always der Kraftstoffverbrauch.
- Example: Der durchschnittliche Kraftstoffverbrauch dieses Autos liegt bei 5 Litern pro 100 Kilometer. (The average fuel consumption of this car is 5 liters per 100 kilometers.)
🚨 Attention: Don't confuse it with the mere amount of fuel in the tank (die Kraftstoffmenge).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-auch → mostly masculine.
-uch → mostly masculine.
Including -auch nouns (100% masculine, e.g. der Bauch)
📏 Grammar of Kraftstoffverbrauch in Detail
The noun "Kraftstoffverbrauch" is masculine. Here are the declension tables:
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Kraftstoffverbrauch |
| Genitive | des | Kraftstoffverbrauchs / Kraftstoffverbrauches |
| Dative | dem | Kraftstoffverbrauch |
| Accusative | den | Kraftstoffverbrauch |
Plural
The plural form is rarely used, as "Verbrauch" (consumption) is often seen as a collective term. If referring to different types of consumption, the plural would theoretically be "die Kraftstoffverbräuche".
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Kraftstoffverbräuche |
| Genitive | der | Kraftstoffverbräuche |
| Dative | den | Kraftstoffverbräuchen |
| Accusative | die | Kraftstoffverbräuche |
Example Sentences
- Der hohe Kraftstoffverbrauch belastet die Umwelt. (The high fuel consumption burdens the environment.)
- Wir müssen den Kraftstoffverbrauch unserer Flotte senken. (We need to reduce the fuel consumption of our fleet.)
- Informationen zum Kraftstoffverbrauch finden Sie im Fahrzeughandbuch. (You can find information about fuel consumption in the vehicle manual.)
- Mit einem sparsamen Fahrstil kann man den Kraftstoffverbrauch deutlich reduzieren. (With an economical driving style, one can significantly reduce fuel consumption.)
🚗 How is "Kraftstoffverbrauch" used?
The term der Kraftstoffverbrauch is primarily used in the following contexts:
- Fahrzeugtechnik (Vehicle technology): Indicating the efficiency of cars, trucks, motorcycles, etc. (e.g., in l/100 km or kWh/100 km).
- Wirtschaft & Kosten (Economy & Costs): Calculating operating costs for vehicles and machinery.
- Umwelt & Politik (Environment & Politics): Discussing CO₂ emissions, climate change, and legal regulations (e.g., fleet consumption).
- Vergleich (Comparison): Contrasting different models or technologies regarding their fuel economy.
It's often used with adjectives like hoch (high), niedrig (low), durchschnittlich (average), spezifisch (specific), real (real), kombiniert (combined).
🧠 Mnemonics
Remembering the article: Think of related masculine nouns: der Motor, der Tank (tank), der Fahrer (driver) – they are all connected to the car and thus to der Kraftstoffverbrauch.
Remembering the meaning: Imagine the Kraft (power/force) from the Stoff (substance/fuel) being verbraucht (consumed) by the car. Kraft + Stoff + Verbrauch = Kraftstoffverbrauch (fuel consumption).
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Spritverbrauch: Colloquial, often used for petrol/gasoline.
- Benzinverbrauch: Specific to petrol/gasoline.
- Dieselverbrauch: Specific to diesel.
- Energieverbrauch (bei E-Autos): Refers to electricity consumption for electric cars.
- Verbrauch: Shorter, general term when the context is clear (consumption).
Antonyms (Opposites/Related)
- Kraftstoffeinsparung: Fuel saving/economy.
- Energieeffizienz: Energy efficiency (high efficiency = low consumption).
- Reichweite: Range (the distance possible on one tank/charge, depends on consumption).
⚠️ Similar words: Don't confuse with Kraftstoffmenge (amount of fuel) or Kraftstoffart (type of fuel).
😄 A Little Joke
Warum spricht der Tankwart immer so leise?
Damit der Kraftstoffverbrauch nicht so hoch ist!
Why does the gas station attendant always speak so quietly?
So that the fuel consumption isn't so high! (This is a pun, as 'hoch' can mean 'high' or 'loud').
📜 Poem about Consumption
Der Wagen rollt, die Meilen fliehn,
der Motor summt, ein leises Ziehn.
Doch ach, die Nadel sinkt geschwind,
der Kraftstoffverbrauch, er rinnt.
Man fährt bedacht, mit sanftem Fuß,
bringt Tank und Börse einen Gruß.
--- English Translation ---
The car rolls on, the miles fly past,
The engine hums, a gentle draft.
But oh, the needle quickly sinks,
The fuel consumption flows and shrinks.
One drives with care, a lighter tread,
Greets tank and wallet, less is shed.
❓ Riddle
Ich messe, wie durstig dein Auto ist,
ob viel es schluckt zu jeder Frist.
In Litern pro Hundert werd' ich genannt,
bin wichtig für Kosten und fürs Land.
Was bin ich?
Lösung: der Kraftstoffverbrauch
--- English Translation ---
I measure how thirsty your car might be,
If it drinks a lot, for all to see.
In liters per hundred is my name,
Important for costs and the country's fame (or land/environment).
What am I?
Solution: fuel consumption (der Kraftstoffverbrauch)
ℹ️ Other Information
Word Composition:
The word Kraftstoffverbrauch is a compound noun, composed of:
- Kraftstoff: Fuel (e.g., petrol, diesel). Itself composed of Kraft (power, force) and Stoff (substance, material).
- Verbrauch: Consumption, usage.
Relevance: Der Kraftstoffverbrauch is a central topic in discussions about mobility, environmental protection, and individual costs. Different testing cycles (e.g., NEDC, WLTP) attempt to better reflect real-world consumption, which often leads to confusion.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Kraftstoffverbrauch?
The noun "Kraftstoffverbrauch" is masculine. The correct article is always der. Example: Der Kraftstoffverbrauch des neuen Modells ist niedrig. (The fuel consumption of the new model is low.)