German word

Pkw

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈpeːkaveː/

Meaning

  • masculine nouncar

Example

Viele Pkw stehen vor dem Bahnhof.

Many cars are parked in front of the train station.

Illustration for Pkw (car)

More examples

Viele Kollegen fahren mit dem Pkw zur Arbeit.

Many colleagues commute to work by car.

Core concept

A road vehicle built for passengers rather than for transporting goods, such as a family car outside a station.

Common phrases

  • mit dem Pkw zur Arbeit fahren

    commute to work by car

  • einen Pkw anmelden

    register a car

Similar words

Auto: A casual everyday term for a passenger car.
Wagen: A general term for a car, sometimes seen on signs or heard in conversation.

Definition in German

Pkw steht für Personenkraftwagen; damit wird ein motorisiertes Kraftfahrzeug bezeichnet, das hauptsächlich zur Beförderung von Personen gebaut ist.

Word origin

Pkw abbreviates Personenkraftwagen, combining Personen, 'persons', with Kraftwagen, a vehicle powered by an engine.

Usage tips

  • Pkw is common in official, technical, and traffic contexts, while Auto is more usual in everyday conversation.

Other meanings

  • passenger carnoun

Opposites

  • öffentliche Verkehrsmittelpublic transportnoun
  • Fahrradbicyclenoun

Related words

  • Pkw-Anmeldungpassenger-car registrationnoun
  • Pkw-Halterpassenger-car ownernoun

Word lists with this word