Wagen
/ˈvaːɡən/masculine
The German word for wagon is Wagen.
A Wagen is a four-wheeled cart used for hauling loads. However, in modern everyday German, it is frequently used as a synonym for an automobile (Auto) or to refer to a passenger car or a railway carriage.
Meaning: four-wheeled cart for hauling loads (noun)
Which one should you use?
While Wagen can refer to a heavy hauling wagon, it is more commonly used in modern contexts to mean a car or a railway carriage.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of Wagen is also Wagen.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈvaːɡən/
Did you know?
- The German word wagen is also a verb meaning 'to dare'. It comes from the word for scales, imagining the risk of not knowing how the balance will fall.
- When referring to a baby stroller, Germans use the term Kinderwagen, literally a 'children's wagon'.
- The noun Wagen stays exactly the same in both its singular and plural forms, meaning you must rely on context or articles to know if there is one or many.
Examples in context
- Wohin führt die Wagenspur?Where do the wagon tracks lead to?This sentence shows how to use the word Wagen in the context of tracks.Tatoeba #920989 by Esperantostern, translation #12203738 by Miktsoanit
- Du bist das fünfte Rad am Wagen.You are the fifth wheel on the wagon.This sentence uses Wagen within a common German idiom.Tatoeba #1055552 by Esperantostern, translation #1482753 by rkqb
- Der Wagen rollte behäbig durch den Schlamm.The wagon trundled along through the mud.This sentence describes the movement of a Wagen through mud.Tatoeba #11569401 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #9518223 by sundown
- Ich habe den Wagen vor dem Hotel geparkt.I parked the car in front of the hotel.
- Diese Karre ist sehr geräumig!This wagon is very spacious!
- Komm, wir packen den Picknickkorb in den Bollerwagen!Come on, let's put the picnic basket in the wagon!
- Morgen machen wir eine gemütliche Kutschfahrt mit dem Planwagen.Tomorrow, we're going for a leisurely carriage ride with the wagon.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Laura and Maximilian are working in a garden.
- LauraKönnen Sie mir mit dem Wagen helfen?Can you help me with the wagon?
- MaximilianJa, ich schiebe den Wagen hierher.Yes, I will push the wagon over here.
- LauraIst der Wagen zu voll mit Erde?Is the wagon too full of soil?
- MaximilianNein, der Wagen ist noch stabil.No, the wagon is still stable.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wagon” translations and entries Wagen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Wagen, wagen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
