Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Blitzer | /ˈblɪt͡sɐ/ | masculine |
| Radarfalle | feminine | |
| Radarsäule | feminine | |
| Starenkasten | /ˈʃtaːʁənˌkastn̩/ | colloquial, masculine |
The terms in German all refer to a camera or device used to detect speeding vehicles. Blitzer is the standard word used by the general public in everyday conversation.
What does it mean word for word?
Radarfalle is a compound of Radar (radar) and Falle (trap). Radarsäule is a compound of Radar (radar) and Säule (pillar or column).
Which one should you use?
Blitzer is the most common everyday term. For more official or formal contexts, you might use Radarfalle or Geschwindigkeitskontrolle. Starenkasten is a slang term used with a cynical or negative tone.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Blitzer is the common colloquial term. Starenkasten is highly informal slang. For a highly formal or official context, one would use Geschwindigkeitsmessanlage, which literally means "speed measurement installation".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Germany, the term Ampelblitzer is used specifically to refer to a traffic light speed camera.
How does it change in a sentence?
Blitzer is an indeclinable noun, meaning the form remains the same whether you are referring to one speed camera or multiple speed cameras.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈblɪtsɐ/
Did you know?
- The slang term Starenkasten literally translates to 'starling box'. This is a play on words referring to the bird boxes used to attract starlings, which look similar to some old speed camera housings.
- In Germany, many drivers use a Blitzer-App to warn others of upcoming cameras. This creates a social system of crowdsourced alerts to avoid fines.
- The word Radarfalle describes the camera as a 'trap'. This reflects a cultural view that these devices are designed to catch people rather than purely for safety.
Examples in context
- Pass auf! Da ist ein Blitzer.Watch out! There's a speed camera.This sentence shows how to warn someone that a Blitzer is present.Tatoeba #1014115 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1014114 by sundown
- In dieser Straße gibt es viele Radarfallen.There are many speed cameras in this street.
- Pass auf, da vorne ist ein Blitzer!Be careful, there's a speed camera up ahead!
- Die Ampelblitzer in dieser Stadt sind sehr effektiv.The traffic light speed cameras in this city are very effective.
- Der Blitzer steht direkt an der Kreuzung.The speed camera is standing right at the intersection.
- Ich habe Angst vor dem Blitzer dort.I am afraid of the speed camera there.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A car driving on a highway.
- SarahGuck mal, da ist ein Blitzer!Look, there is a speed camera!
- MaximilianOh nein, war ich zu schnell?Oh no, was I going too fast?
- SarahIch glaube nicht, Maximilian.I don't think so, Maximilian.
- MaximilianDann bin ich beruhigt.Then I am relieved.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “speed camera” translations and entries Blitzer, Starenkasten, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Starenkasten, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
