der
Leihwagen
🚗 What exactly is a Leihwagen?
A Leihwagen is a motor vehicle, typically a passenger car (PKW), that you can rent for a specific period. So, you 'borrow' (leihen) the car for a fee from a provider (e.g., a car rental company - Autovermietung).
The word is masculine, so it's always der Leihwagen.
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 of 'der Leihwagen' in Detail
The noun Leihwagen is masculine. Here are the declension tables:
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Leihwagen |
| Genitive | des | Leihwagens |
| Dative | dem | Leihwagen |
| Accusative | den | Leihwagen |
Declension Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Leihwagen |
| Genitive | der | Leihwagen |
| Dative | den | Leihwagen |
| Accusative | die | Leihwagen |
Example Sentences 📝
- Für unseren Urlaub in Italien haben wir einen Leihwagen gemietet.
For our vacation in Italy, we rented a rental car. - Der Schlüssel des Leihwagens lag auf dem Tresen.
The key of the rental car was lying on the counter. - Mit dem Leihwagen konnten wir die Küste erkunden.
With the rental car, we could explore the coast. - Ich muss den Leihwagen morgen früh zurückgeben.
I have to return the rental car early tomorrow morning. - Die Autovermietung hat viele verschiedene Leihwagen im Angebot.
The car rental company offers many different rental cars.
💡 When to use 'Leihwagen'?
The term Leihwagen is frequently used when renting a car for a relatively short period, for example:
- On vacation or while traveling to be mobile.
- When one's own car is in the repair shop (Werkstatt).
- For special occasions or transport needs requiring a specific vehicle.
In everyday language, Leihwagen and Mietwagen (rental car) are often used synonymously. Technically, leihen (to lend/borrow) can sometimes be free, while mieten (to rent) always involves payment. However, with cars, payment is almost always involved, making Mietwagen often the more precise term, even though Leihwagen is very common.
⚠️ Attention: Don't confuse it with a Firmenwagen (company car provided generally) or a Dienstwagen (car provided specifically for work duties), which are often provided for longer terms.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article Mnemonic: Think of 'Wagen' (car, wagon) which is masculine (der Wagen). Adding 'Leih-' (borrow/rent) doesn't change the gender. So it stays der Leihwagen.
Meaning Mnemonic: The word is literally composed of leihen (to lend/borrow/rent) and Wagen (car). You are 'lending' yourself a 'car' – a Leihwagen.
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
Antonyms (opposites):
- Eigenwagen: One's own car.
- Privatwagen: A privately owned car.
- Firmenwagen / Dienstwagen: Company car (different usage context).
Similar but different terms: Carsharing-Auto (car-sharing vehicle, often for very short periods), Leasingfahrzeug (leased vehicle, long-term rental often with an option to buy).
😂 A little joke
Warum nehmen Skelette keinen Leihwagen?
Sie haben keine Knochen im Leib, um die Kaution zu hinterlegen! 😉
---
Why don't skeletons take a rental car?
They don't have the guts (or literally 'bones in their body') to pay the deposit! (It's a pun on 'Knochen im Leib haben' which means 'to have guts/stamina', and 'Knochen' = bones)
📜 A Poem about the Leihwagen
Der Urlaub ruft, die Ferne lacht,
ein Plan wird schnell zurechtgemacht.
Doch wie bewegen, schnell und frei?
Ein Leihwagen muss jetzt herbei!
Am Schalter steht er, glänzt und blinkt,
der Schlüssel wird uns zugewinkt.
Mit Navi, Klima, flottem Gang,
beginnt die Reise ohne Zwang.
---
The vacation calls, the distance laughs,
a plan is quickly put to drafts.
But how to move, so fast and free?
A rental car is key, you see!
At the counter, it gleams so bright,
the key is waved into our sight.
With GPS, AC, a speedy gear,
the journey starts, banishing fear.
❓ Riddle Time
Ich hab vier Räder, doch gehöre nicht dir.
Du zahlst für die Zeit, die du verbringst mit mir.
Ich bring dich von A nach B auf deiner Reise,
doch nach dem Urlaub fahr' ich heim – auf meine Weise.
Was bin ich?
Lösung: Der Leihwagen
---
I have four wheels, but I don't belong to you.
You pay for the time you spend with me, it's true.
I take you from A to B on your trip,
But after the holiday, home I slip.
What am I?
Solution: The rental car (der Leihwagen)
🧩 Word Components and More
Word Composition:
The word Leihwagen is a compound noun, formed from:
- leihen: The verb means to lend, borrow, or rent something for a period (often for a fee or interest). Here used in the sense of 'to rent'.
- Wagen: A general term for a vehicle on wheels, especially a car.
Cultural Note: Rental cars (Leihwagen) are a well-established service in Germany and many other countries, especially available at airports (Flughäfen), train stations (Bahnhöfen), and in cities (Städten).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Leihwagen?
The noun "Leihwagen" is masculine. The correct article is der Leihwagen. The plural is die Leihwagen.