Gas
/ɡaːs/
The English phrase "gas" can be translated into German as Gas.
Meaning: fuel (noun)
Which one should you use?
While Gas refers to gases, the related verb tanken or auftanken is used when you want to say you are filling a vehicle's fuel tank. Additionally, the verb vergasen refers specifically to killing someone with poisonous gas.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun Gas is neuter and takes the definite article das.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡaːs/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often use Gas to mean gasoline, but in German, Gas refers to gaseous substances, whereas Benzin is the word for gasoline/petrol.
Did you know?
- The German word Gas is a linguistic doublet of the word Chaos. Both originate from the Ancient Greek kháos, which described a void or a gaping abyss.
- While Gas means a gaseous substance, Germans use the phrase Gib Gas! to tell someone to hurry up or speed up.
- The phrase Gas geben can be used metaphorically in a workplace to mean increasing the intensity or pace of a project.
Examples in context
- Stell das Gas ab.Turn off the gas.This sentence is useful for learning how to say 'turn off' in relation to Gas.Tatoeba #1341352 by Zaghawa, translation #63744 by CK
- Drehe das Gas auf!Turn on the gas.This sentence is useful for learning how to say 'turn on' in relation to Gas.Tatoeba #2289420 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2269020 by _undertoad
- Helium ist ein Gas.Helium is a gas.This sentence is useful for seeing a scientific example of Gas.Tatoeba #3752071 by Jens_Odo, translation #2549565 by CK
- Kannst du mir bitte etwas Sprit geben?Can you give me some gas, please?
- 104 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Laura and Felix are talking about their car trip.
- LauraWir müssen bald Gas tanken.We need to get gas soon.
- FelixWo ist die nächste Tankstelle?Where is the nearest gas station?
- LauraIch glaube, es gibt dort vorne Gas.I think there is gas up ahead.
- FelixGut, dann halten wir dort an.Good, then we will stop there.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Gas, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Gas, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
