German word

Bus

Pronunciation

IPA/bʊs/

Meaning

  • masculine nounbus

Example

Ich fahre jeden Tag mit den Bussen zur Arbeit.

I take the bus to work every day.

Illustration for Bus (bus)

More examples

Ich habe den Bus heute Morgen verpasst.

I missed the bus this morning.

Core concept

A large motor vehicle with rows of passenger seats, used on a route or for a longer journey.

Common phrases

  • den Bus nehmen

    take the bus

  • aus dem Bus aussteigen

    get off the bus

  • den Bus verpassen

    miss the bus

Similar words

Zug: Rail vehicle that carries passengers between stations.
Straßenbahn: Electric city vehicle running on streets or dedicated tracks and stopping for passengers.
U-Bahn: Urban train running frequently on dedicated underground or elevated lines.
Taxi: Car hired to take individual passengers to a chosen destination for a fare.

Definition in German

Ein motorisiertes Fahrzeug, öffentlich oder privat betrieben, das mehrere Personen auf festen Linien oder bei längeren Fahrten befördert.

Word origin

The German noun Bus was shortened from French autobus, which combines auto- with Latin omnibus, the dative plural of omnis, meaning 'for everyone'.

Usage tips

  • Bus is masculine, with forms such as der Bus, mit dem Bus, and the plural die Busse.

Other meanings

  • coachnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word