der  Passagier

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/pasaˈɡiːɐ̯/

✈️ What does "der Passagier" mean?

Der Passagier refers to a person who travels in a means of transport (like an airplane, train, ship, bus, or car) without being responsible for driving or operating it. So, it means a passenger or fellow traveler.

The feminine form is die Passagierin.

There is only this one article for the masculine singular word: der. 🚨 Be careful: Don't confuse a Passagier with the staff (e.g., Pilot, Zugführer, Stewardess)!

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "der Passagier" in Detail

"Passagier" is a masculine noun. Here are the declension tables:

Example Sentences

1. Der Passagier wartete am Gate auf seinen Flug.
   (The passenger waited at the gate for his flight.)
2. Das Gepäck des Passagiers wurde bereits eingecheckt.
   (The passenger's luggage was already checked in.)
3. Die Stewardess half dem Passagier mit seinem Handgepäck.
   (The flight attendant helped the passenger with his hand luggage.)
4. Der Zollbeamte kontrollierte den Passagier.
   (The customs officer checked the passenger.)
5. Die Passagiere wurden gebeten, ihre Sicherheitsgurte anzulegen.
   (The passengers were asked to fasten their seatbelts.)

🌐 How to use "Passagier"?

The word Passagier is mainly used in the context of travel and transportation. It's a general term for people being transported.

• Air travel: Use Flugpassagier. Example: Die Passagiere gehen an Bord. (The passengers are boarding.)
• Sea travel: Use Schiffspassagier. Example: Die Passagiere genossen die Kreuzfahrt. (The passengers enjoyed the cruise.)
• Rail travel: Often, Fahrgast is used here, but Passagier is also correct, especially for longer journeys or international trains. Example: Der Zug war voller Passagiere. (The train was full of passengers.)
• Bus travel: Similar to rail travel, Fahrgast is more common, but Passagier is possible, especially for coaches (long-distance buses).
• Car travel: Here, people usually say Mitfahrer (co-driver/passenger) or Beifahrer (front-seat passenger). Passagier is less common, except in the context of taxis or ride services.

Difference from "Fahrgast": Fahrgast is often used more specifically for local public transport (bus, train, tram), while Passagier is more common for airplanes, ships, and long-distance travel (train, coach). Passagier often sounds a bit more formal or emphasizes the travel aspect more strongly.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Passagier"

1. Article Mnemonic (der): Think of a male passenger. Many masculine nouns in German end in -er, just like der itself. Der Passagier.

2. Meaning Mnemonic (passenger): Imagine someone having to pass an age check (like Pass-ag-ier) before boarding a flight as a passenger.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but misleading words:

• Passant / Passantin: Someone walking by (pedestrian), not someone traveling inside a vehicle.

😂 A little joke

Fragt ein Passagier den Schaffner: "Entschuldigen Sie, hält dieser Zug auch in Kleinkleckersdorf?"
Sagt der Schaffner: "Wenn Sie nicht sofort Ihren Fuß von der Notbremse nehmen, ja!"

--- Translation ---

A passenger asks the conductor: "Excuse me, does this train also stop in Small-Splatville?"
The conductor says: "If you don't take your foot off the emergency brake right now, yes!"

✍️ Poem about the Passenger

Der Passagier sitzt still und schaut,
Wie Landschaft draußen schnell vorbeihaut.
Im Zug, im Flieger, auf dem Meer,
Er reist von hier bis irgendwoher.
Sein Ziel liegt fern, die Zeit verrinnt,
Ein Reisender, vom Fahrtwind umspinnt.

--- Translation ---

The passenger sits still and looks,
As the landscape outside quickly rushes past.
On the train, in the plane, on the sea,
He travels from here to somewhere far.
His destination is distant, time slips away,
A traveler, spun around by the wind of the journey.

❓ Riddle

Ich fahre mit, doch lenke nicht.
Ich fliege hoch, doch hab kein Licht
Am Steuerstand, das mir gehört.
Ich zahle oft, werd nur befördert.
Wer bin ich?

--- Translation ---

I ride along, but do not steer.
I fly high, but have no light
At the controls that belongs to me.
I often pay, I'm only transported.

Who am I?

(Answer: Der Passagier / The Passenger)

💡 Other Information

Word Origin: The word "Passagier" comes from the French word passager, which in turn originates from the Latin passagium (passage, crossing).

Feminine Form: The correct feminine form is die Passagierin (plural: die Passagierinnen).

Compound Words: There are several compound words like Flugpassagier (air passenger), Schiffspassagier (ship passenger), Passagierflugzeug (passenger plane), Passagierschiff (passenger ship), Passagierliste (passenger list).