Meaning
To purchase fuel for a vehicle.
Cultural Background
Gas stations are often the only places to buy groceries on Sundays due to strict closing laws. Benzin is often cheaper in Austria than in Germany, leading to 'Tanktourismus' (tank tourism) near the border. In Switzerland, the term 'Benzin' is used, but prices are displayed in Swiss Francs (CHF). Germans are shocked by how cheap it is to 'Benzin kaufen' in the US, but also by the lower octane levels.
Use 'tanken' for cars
While 'Benzin kaufen' is correct, saying 'Ich muss tanken' sounds much more like a native speaker when you are driving.
Check the fuel type!
Always make sure you are buying 'Benzin' (or Super) and not 'Diesel' if your car requires it. The nozzles are different colors (usually green for Benzin, black for Diesel).
Meaning
To purchase fuel for a vehicle.
Use 'tanken' for cars
While 'Benzin kaufen' is correct, saying 'Ich muss tanken' sounds much more like a native speaker when you are driving.
Check the fuel type!
Always make sure you are buying 'Benzin' (or Super) and not 'Diesel' if your car requires it. The nozzles are different colors (usually green for Benzin, black for Diesel).
Price timing
In Germany, Benzin is usually cheaper in the evening (between 6 PM and 10 PM) than in the morning.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing verb in the correct form.
Ich habe gestern zwanzig Liter Benzin ______.
The sentence is in the Perfekt tense, so you need the Partizip II 'gekauft'.
Which sentence is correct?
A: Ich kaufe Gas für mein Auto. B: Ich kaufe Benzin für mein Auto.
In German, 'Gas' is for heating/cooking; 'Benzin' is for cars.
Match the German phrase with its English meaning.
1. Benzin kaufen, 2. Tankstelle, 3. Teuer
These are the core vocabulary items for this topic.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Warum hältst du an? B: Ich muss ______ ______.
Stopping at a gas station implies the need for fuel.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Fuel Types in Germany
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIch habe gestern zwanzig Liter Benzin ______.
The sentence is in the Perfekt tense, so you need the Partizip II 'gekauft'.
A: Ich kaufe Gas für mein Auto. B: Ich kaufe Benzin für mein Auto.
In German, 'Gas' is for heating/cooking; 'Benzin' is for cars.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the core vocabulary items for this topic.
A: Warum hältst du an? B: Ich muss ______ ______.
Stopping at a gas station implies the need for fuel.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, 'Gas' in German refers to natural gas. Use 'Benzin' for gasoline.
It is neuter: {das|n} Benzin.
'Benzin' is the standard word, while 'Sprit' is informal/slang.
Say 'Einmal volltanken, bitte.'
In Germany, you usually pump the fuel first and then go inside to pay.
It is a type of Benzin with 10% ethanol. It is usually the cheapest option.
No, you must use approved canisters for safety reasons.
Yes, it follows the standard conjugation pattern for weak verbs.
High energy taxes and environmental levies make it more expensive than in many other countries.
It is rarely used, but technically 'Benzine' (referring to different types of fuel).
Related Phrases
tanken
similarTo refuel
Sprit holen
informalTo get gas
volltanken
specialized formTo fill up the tank
Diesel kaufen
contrastTo buy diesel
an der Tankstelle halten
builds onTo stop at the gas station
