Fahrrad fahren
/ˈfaːrˌra(ː)t ˈfaːʁɛn/word by word
To ride a bike in German is Fahrrad fahren.
This phrase is used to describe the act of traveling or moving about using a bicycle.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of Fahrrad (bicycle) and fahren (to drive or travel by vehicle).
Which one should you use?
While Fahrrad fahren is the standard phrase, Rad fahren is a common, shorter alternative.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Switzerland, the expression Velo fahren is commonly used to refer to bicycle riding.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle of the phrase is Fahrrad gefahren, which is used with the auxiliary verb sein (for example, Ich bin Fahrrad gefahren).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈfaːrˌra(ː)t ˈfaːʁɛn/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using Fahrrad reiten. While this might seem like a direct translation of 'to ride', reiten is specifically used for riding a horse.
Did you know?
- The English word 'fare' as in 'bus fare' is a linguistic relative of the German verb fahren. Both descend from an ancient root meaning to travel or journey.
- While English uses 'ride' for both horses and bikes, German strictly separates them. Using reiten for a bike would sound like you are attempting to sit astride it as if it were an animal.
- When talking about riding a bike in the past, Germans use the auxiliary verb sein (to be) instead of haben (to have). This is because the language treats it as a change of location rather than just an activity.
Examples in context
- Ich kann Fahrrad fahren.I can ride a bike.This sentence is useful for expressing the ability to ride a bike with Fahrrad fahren.Tatoeba #4020517 by pullnosemans, translation #3826212 by CK
- Er kann nicht Fahrrad fahren.He doesn't know how to ride a bike.This sentence is useful for expressing the inability to ride a bike with Fahrrad fahren.Tatoeba #7712499 by wolfgangth, translation #2673849 by Eldad
- Ich kann nicht Fahrrad fahren.I can't ride a bike.Tatoeba #9033456 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #5958511 by CK
- Ich lerne Fahrrad fahren.I am learning to ride a bike.
- Sie müssen Fahrrad fahren, um in die Stadt zu gelangen.You need to ride a bike to get to the city.
- Er fragte mich, ob ich Fahrrad fahren kann.He asked me if I can ride a bike.
- Ich liebe es, Radl zu fahren.I love riding my bike.
- Radfahren macht mir Spaß.Bike riding is fun.
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Laura are planning their trip to the city center.
- LukasWollen wir heute Fahrrad fahren?Do we want to ride a bike today?
- LauraJa, das ist eine gute Idee.Yes, that is a good idea.
- LukasIch möchte gerne Fahrrad fahren.I would like to ride a bike.
- LauraDann holen wir die Räder.Then let's get the bikes.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (Fahrrad, fahren) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Fahrrad, fahren, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
