Luftkissenboot
/ˈlʊftkɪsənˌboːt/neuter
The English word hovercraft can be translated into German as Luftkissenboot. Wiktionary also lists Hovercraft and Luftkissenfahrzeug.
Meaning: vehicle supported on a cushion of air (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Luftkissenboot | /ˈlʊftkɪsənˌboːt/ | neuter |
| Hovercraft | ||
| Luftkissenfahrzeug | /ˈlʊftkɪsn̩ˌfaːɐ̯t͡sɔɪ̯k/ | neuter |
A hovercraft is a vehicle supported on a cushion of air. In German, you can use the native compound words or the English loanword Hovercraft.
What does it mean word for word?
The word Luftkissenboot is a compound of Luft (air), Kissen (cushion) and Boot (boat). The word Luftkissenfahrzeug is a compound of Luft (air), Kissen (cushion) and Fahrzeug (vehicle).
Which one should you use?
Luftkissenboot specifically implies a boat-like vessel, whereas Luftkissenfahrzeug is a more general term for any air-cushion vehicle.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Austria, the term Luftkissenboot is used for hovercraft.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both Luftkissenfahrzeug and Luftkissenboot are neuter nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈlʊftkɪsənˌboːt/
Did you know?
- While Luftkissenboot is a literal translation, the word Kissen is used for every kind of cushion or pillow, meaning a hovercraft is conceptually a 'pillow boat' in German.
- The term Luft is a linguistic relative of the English 'loft', which originally referred to high places or the air.
- The English loanword Hovercraft is often used in German marketing and media because it sounds more modern and sleek than the descriptive Luftkissenfahrzeug.
Examples in context
- Mein Luftkissenboot ist voller Aale.My hovercraft is full of eels.This sentence shows the use of Luftkissenboot.Tatoeba #446937 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #348790 by zipangu
- Das Luftkissenboot fährt über das Wasser.The hovercraft travels over the water.
- Wir haben ein Luftkissenboot gemietet.We rented a hovercraft.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Maximilian are at a tourist information center near a lake.
- HannahIst dieses Luftkissenboot sehr schnell?Is this hovercraft very fast?
- MaximilianJa, das Luftkissenboot ist wirklich beeindruckend.Yes, the hovercraft is truly impressive.
- HannahKönnen wir damit eine Tour machen?Can we go on a tour with it?
- MaximilianIch frage den Mann dort drüben.I will ask the man over there.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hovercraft” translations and entries Luftkissenboot, Luftkissenfahrzeug, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Luftkissenboot, Luftkissenfahrzeug, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
