Autounfall
The English phrase "car crash" is translated into German as Autounfall.
Meaning: Translations (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound noun consisting of 'Auto' (car) and 'Unfall' (accident).
Which one should you use?
Verkehrsunfall is a formal way to say car crash in German. A more formal or technical term often used in police reports or news is Verkehrsunfall. Additionally, Automobilunfall is a formal expression for car crash that emphasizes the involvement of automobiles.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun Autounfall is masculine and takes the article der in the nominative case. The plural form of Autounfall is Autounfällen when used in the dative case (e.g., after the preposition bei).
Did you know?
- In German legal contexts, a 'car crash' may be categorized as a Blechschaden if only the sheet metal is damaged and no one is hurt, literally meaning 'tin damage'.
- The word Unfall shares a root with the English word 'fall', reflecting the old German concept of something that 'falls upon' a person unexpectedly.
- German uses a specific word Auffahrunfall to describe the particular type of car crash where one vehicle crashes into the back of another.
Examples in context
- Tom überlebte den Autounfall.Tom survived the car crash.This sentence shows how to use Autounfall to describe survival after an accident.Tatoeba #3982055 by Djabby, translation #3956095 by CK
- Prinzessin Diana kam bei einem Autounfall ums Leben.Princess Diana died in a car crash.This sentence uses Autounfall to describe a fatal incident.Tatoeba #6128332 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #6115504 by Hybrid
- Bei einem Autounfall trug er gravierende Verletzungen davon.He suffered serious injuries in a car crash.This sentence uses Autounfall to describe the injuries sustained in a crash.Tatoeba #1991001 by al_ex_an_der, translation #11524541 by sundown
- Gestern gab es einen schlimmen Autounfall auf der Autobahn.Yesterday, there was a severe car crash on the highway.
- Bitte melden Sie jeden Verkehrsunfall innerhalb von 24 Stunden der Polizei.Please report any car crash to the police within 24 hours.
- Aus Gründen der Sicherheit analysieren wir jedes Autounfallgeschehen gründlich.For safety reasons, we thoroughly analyze every car crash incident.
- Es gab einen schlimmen UnfallThere was a severe accident.
- Die Autos sind zusammengestoßenThe cars collided.
- Es hat gekrachtThere was a crash.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julian and Julia are talking about the news while having coffee.
- JulianHast du von dem schlimmen Autounfall gehört?Did you hear about the bad car crash?
- JuliaNein, was ist passiert?No, what happened?
- JulianEs gab einen Autounfall auf der Autobahn.There was a car crash on the highway.
- JuliaOh nein, das klingt schrecklich.Oh no, that sounds terrible.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Autounfall, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
