Sportwagen
masculine
The German phrase for sports car is Sportwagen.
Sportwagen is used to refer to an automobile designed for high speed. If you are referring specifically to a two-door sports car, you might use the more precise term Sportcoupé.
Meaning: automobile designed for high speed (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word Sportwagen is a compound of Sport (sport) and Wagen (car or vehicle).
Which one should you use?
While Sportwagen is the standard term, other words can change the tone of your description. Use Sportcoupé for a specific two-door model. Use Flitzer to describe a fast or flashy car, and Rennsemmel for a playful way to say 'racing roll'.
How does it change in a sentence?
Sportwagen is a masculine noun. The plural form is identical to the singular form.
Did you know?
- The word Flitzer comes from the verb flitzen, which means 'to dart' or 'to scamper'. It describes the movement of a fast car rather than its technical specifications.
- In Germany, the word Wagen is more versatile than 'car'. It can refer to anything from a baby carriage to a railway carriage or a heavy wagon.
- While Sportwagen refers to the car itself, Germans often use the term Tuning to describe the cultural practice of modifying these cars for better performance or style.
Examples in context
- Tom fährt einen Sportwagen.Tom drives a sports car.This sentence shows the use of Sportwagen with the verb to drive.Tatoeba #7285933 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #6854064 by Hybrid
- Er fährt einen Sportwagen, oder?He drives a sports car, doesn't he?This sentence shows how to use Sportwagen in a question.Tatoeba #8861155 by wolfgangth, translation #7393556 by CH
- Er besitzt einen gelben Sportwagen.He owns a yellow sports car.This sentence demonstrates using Sportwagen to indicate ownership.Tatoeba #8841383 by wolfgangth, translation #2727393 by Amastan
- Ich habe vor, mir einen Sportwagen zuzulegen.I'm planning to buy a sports car.
- Wow, schau dir diesen Flitzer an!Wow, look at that sports car!
- Mein Onkel hat einen coolen Schlitten.My uncle has a cool sports car.
- 25 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Maximilian are looking at cars in a showroom.
- HannahIst das ein Sportwagen?Is that a sports car?
- MaximilianJa, das ist ein sehr schneller Sportwagen.Yes, that is a very fast sports car.
- HannahDer Sportwagen sieht wirklich toll aus.The sports car looks really great.
- MaximilianAber ein Sportwagen ist sehr teuer.But a sports car is very expensive.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sports car” translations and entries Sportwagen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
