German word

Lok

Pronunciation

IPA/lɔk/

Meaning

  • feminine nounlocomotive

Example

Die Loks fahren jeden Morgen pünktlich.

The locomotives depart on time every morning.

Illustration for Lok (locomotive)

More examples

Der Techniker prüft die Lok vor der Abfahrt.

The technician checks the locomotive before departure.

Core concept

A powerful rail machine at the front of a train, pulling or pushing the other cars.

Common phrases

  • Dampflok

    steam locomotive

  • Elektrolok

    electric locomotive

  • auf der Lok

    on the locomotive

Similar words

Lokomotive: A formal term for a powered rail vehicle that pulls or pushes train cars.
Zug: A connected set of passenger or freight cars traveling together on rails.
E-Lok: A locomotive powered by electricity and used to pull or push train cars.
Diesellok: A locomotive powered by a diesel engine and used to pull or push train cars.

Definition in German

Umgangssprachliche Kurzform von Lokomotive; eine Maschine, die Wagen eines Zuges zieht oder schiebt.

Word origin

Lok is a colloquial shortening of German Lokomotive, a borrowing ultimately related to Latin locus, "place," and movere, "to move."

Usage tips

  • Lok is feminine, so the forms are die Lok, eine Lok, and several Loks.

Other meanings

  • enginenoun

Related words

  • Dampfloksteam locomotivenoun
  • Elektrolokelectric locomotivenoun
  • Lokführerlocomotive drivernoun

Word lists with this word