In German
Auto
Meaning: car
Formal or informal? “Auto” is the everyday word for car. The formal or technical term is “Kraftfahrzeug” (motor vehicle), used on official documents.
Example sentences
MeinAutostehtvordemHaus.
My car is parked in front of the house.
WirfahrenmitdemAutoindieStadt.
We go into town by car.
DasAutoistneu.
The car is new.
Grammar note
“Das Auto” is neuter, so it takes “das” and “ein”. The plural is “die Autos”. After “mit” (by/with) the dative is “mit dem Auto”.
Common mistake
Don't say “der Auto”. The noun is neuter, so the correct article is “das Auto”.
Quick check
Which German word means “car”?
More words on this topic
Keep learning German
Practise it in a lesson →Frequently asked questions
What is the gender of “Auto”?
Neuter. The article is “das Auto”, not “der Auto”.
How do you say “by car” in German?
“Mit dem Auto”, using the dative form “dem”.