der  Schulbus

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃuːlˌbʊs/

🚌 What exactly is a Schulbus?

A Schulbus (der Schulbus, plural: die Schulbusse) is a specific type of bus used to transport schoolchildren to school and back home. It usually follows fixed routes and schedules coordinated with school hours. These buses are often identifiable by special signs or their color (typically yellow in some countries, but in Germany often regular public buses with signage).

The article is always der because it's a compound noun ending with "der Bus".

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Schulbus

The word "Schulbus" is a masculine noun. The article is der.

Example Sentences

1. Der Schulbus kommt immer pünktlich um 7:30 Uhr.
   (The school bus always arrives punctually at 7:30 AM.)
2. Ich habe den Schulbus heute Morgen verpasst.
   (I missed the school bus this morning.)
3. Viele Kinder fahren mit dem Schulbus zur Grundschule.
   (Many children go to primary school by school bus.)
4. Die Route des Schulbusses wurde geändert.
   (The school bus's route has been changed.)
5. Die Haltestelle für die Schulbusse ist direkt vor dem Schultor.
   (The stop for the school buses is right in front of the school gate.)

🗣️ How to Use "Schulbus"?

"Schulbus" is used specifically to describe the transport of pupils. It's distinguished from a regular *Linienbus* (public bus) or a *Reisebus* (coach/tour bus).

• Typical Collocations: mit dem Schulbus fahren (to go by school bus), den Schulbus nehmen (to take the school bus), den Schulbus verpassen (to miss the school bus), im Schulbus sitzen (to sit in the school bus), die Schulbushaltestelle (the school bus stop).
• Context: Mainly used in the context of the daily commute of children and teenagers to school. For school trips, a rented bus might colloquially be called a "Schulbus", although *Reisebus* would often be more precise.
• Distinction: A Linienbus operates a fixed route for the general public. A Reisebus is used for longer journeys and tours. A Schulbus is specifically for transporting students, even if it's sometimes a regular public bus assigned to a school route at specific times.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember 'der Schulbus'

Article Mnemonic: Think of der Bus. Since "Schulbus" ends in "-bus", it inherits the masculine article der. Imagine der driver steering der Schulbus.

Meaning Mnemonic: It's straightforward! The word is composed of Schule (school) + Bus (bus) = A bus for the school.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar, but Different Words

• Reisebus: (Coach/Tour bus) Bus for longer trips, often more comfortably equipped.
• Linienbus: (Public bus) Bus used in public transport network.

😂 A Little Joke

Lehrer: "Wer kann mir fünf Tiere nennen, die in Afrika leben?"
Fritzchen: "Zwei Löwen und drei Elefanten!"
Lehrer: "Und woher weißt du das so genau?"
Fritzchen: "Stand heute Morgen auf dem Schulbus!"

Translation:
Teacher: "Who can name five animals that live in Africa?"
Little Fritz: "Two lions and three elephants!"
Teacher: "And how do you know that so precisely?"
Little Fritz: "It was written on the school bus this morning!"

✍️ Poem about the Schulbus

Der Schulbus kommt, hupt kurz und laut,
hat viele Kinder schon verstaut.
Er fährt zur Schule, hin und her,
das mögen viele Kinder sehr.
Gelb oder bunt, groß ist er meist,
der Bus, der uns zur Bildung reist.

Translation:
The school bus comes, honks short and loud,
Has already stowed away many kids in its crowd.
It drives to school, back and forth anew,
Many children like this, it's true.
Yellow or colorful, mostly grand,
The bus that travels us to learning land.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich habe viele Sitze, doch kein Zuhaus'.
Ich bring' euch zur Schule und hol' euch nach Haus'.
Ich fahr' eine Route, jeden Tag gleich,
bin für die Schüler ein rollendes Reich.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I have many seats, but no home base.
I take you to school and bring you back home space.
I drive a route, the same every day,
For students, I'm a rolling realm, hooray!

What am I?

Solution: der Schulbus (the school bus)

ℹ️ Additional Info

Word Composition: The word "Schulbus" is a compound noun, composed of:

• Schule (die Schule - the school)
• Bus (der Bus - the bus)

The gender of the compound noun is determined by the last part (the base word), which is "Bus" here, hence der Schulbus.

Trivia: While school buses in the USA often have a characteristic yellow color (National School Bus Glossy Yellow), there is no uniform color regulation in Germany. Regular public buses are often used and marked with a sign saying "Schulbus" or "Schulfahrt" (school trip/route).