Tankstelle
[ˈtaŋkˌʃtɛlə]feminine
The German word for gas station is Tankstelle.
A Tankstelle is an establishment that sells gasoline to pump directly into a car. If you are specifically referring to a gas station located on the highway, you can use the term Autobahntankstelle. If you need to refuel with diesel, the German word for diesel is Diesel.
Meaning: an establishment which sells gasoline to pump directly into a car (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word Tankstelle is a compound of tanken, which means to refuel or fill up and Stelle, which means place or spot, literally translating to "filling station".
How does it change in a sentence?
Tankstelle is a feminine noun. The plural form is Tankstellen. Because it is a feminine noun, the definite article changes to der in the dative and genitive cases.
Did you know?
- The verb tanken is used in German not only for refueling a car, but also for the act of a person drinking alcohol or eating heartily. A person might say they are going tanken to a restaurant.
- If you stop at a Tankstelle for a snack, you might see Currywurst sold there. These stations are famous for being quick stops for this specific cultural street food.
- German fuel prices at the Tankstelle fluctuate several times a day, often increasing significantly in the late afternoon and early evening.
Examples in context
- Tom fuhr auf die Tankstelle.Tom pulled into the gas station.This sentence shows how to use Tankstelle when describing driving to a location.Tatoeba #6971486 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #6967243 by Eccles17
- Früher war hier eine Tankstelle.There used to be a gas station here.This sentence demonstrates the use of Tankstelle when referring to a past location.Tatoeba #9344301 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #9344299 by CK
- Ist hier in der Nähe eine Tankstelle?Is there a gas station around here?This sentence shows how to ask about the presence of a Tankstelle in the vicinity.Tatoeba #1562681 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #57202 by CK
- Entschuldigen Sie, wissen Sie, wo die nächste Tankstelle ist?Excuse me, do you know where the nearest gas station is?
- Wir sollten an der nächsten Autobahntankstelle eine Pause machen.We should take a break at the next highway gas station.
- 24 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Julian are driving and realize they are low on fuel.
- HannahWir müssen bald an eine Tankstelle fahren.We need to go to a gas station soon.
- JulianIch sehe dort vorne eine Tankstelle.I see a gas station up ahead.
- HannahSuper, biege bitte dort rechts ab.Great, please turn right there.
- JulianAlles klar, ich fahre jetzt ran.All right, I'm pulling in now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gas station” translations and entries Tankstelle, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
