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A2 noun #3,500 most common 10 min read

der Tank

Top 3,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips der Tank in 30 Seconds

Explanation der Tank in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know 'der Tank' in the context of a car. You should recognize that it is a place where fuel goes. You might learn it alongside the verb 'tanken' (to refuel). A typical A1 sentence would be: 'Das Auto braucht Benzin. Der Tank ist leer.' You should focus on the fact that 'Tank' is masculine (der) and that the plural is 'die Tanks'. You don't need to worry about complex industrial uses yet. Just think of it as the 'fuel box' for your car. You might also see it in the word 'Tankstelle' (gas station), which is a very important word for travelers. If you are at a gas station, you might see 'Tank 1', 'Tank 2', etc., referring to the pumps, though 'Säule' is more correct. At this stage, just remember: Der Tank = car fuel container.

At the A2 level, you start using 'der Tank' in more complete sentences and understand its role as a direct object (accusative case). You should be able to say 'Ich fülle den Tank' or 'Wir müssen den Tank prüfen.' You also begin to see compound words like 'Wassertank' (for a coffee machine or a camper van) and 'Öltank' (for home heating). You should be aware of the 'False Friend' with the English word for a military vehicle; remember that a military tank is 'der Panzer'. You can describe the state of the tank using simple adjectives like 'voll' (full), 'leer' (empty), or 'halbvoll' (half-full). You are also expected to know the related verb 'tanken' and use it in the present and simple past (perfekt) tense: 'Ich habe gestern getankt.'

By B1, you should be comfortable using 'der Tank' in a variety of contexts, including technical and environmental ones. You might discuss 'Tankleckagen' (tank leaks) or the 'Tankvolumen' (tank volume) when comparing cars. You should understand the genitive case, such as 'die Größe des Tanks' (the size of the tank). You will encounter the word in news reports about 'Tankschiffe' (oil tankers) or 'Tanklaster' (tank trucks). You should also be familiar with the idiomatic use of 'Energie tanken' (to recharge one's batteries/energy). Your vocabulary should expand to include synonyms like 'Behälter' and 'Kanister', and you should know when to use each. For instance, you know that a 'Kanister' is something you carry by hand, while a 'Tank' is usually stationary or part of a machine.

At the B2 level, 'der Tank' appears in more specialized and professional contexts. You might read about 'Hochdrucktanks' (high-pressure tanks) in an engineering text or 'Gärungstanks' (fermentation tanks) in a description of a brewery. You should be able to discuss the environmental regulations surrounding 'Erdtanks' (underground tanks) and the safety measures required for 'Gefahrengut-Tanks' (hazardous goods tanks). Your grammar should be flawless when using the word in all cases and with various prepositions. You can also distinguish between formal and informal registers, knowing that 'die Tanke' is a common slang term for the gas station. You might also encounter the word in abstract or metaphorical senses in literature or advanced journalism, though these are less frequent than physical descriptions.

At the C1 level, you have a nuanced understanding of 'der Tank' and its many compounds. You can follow complex technical discussions about 'Tankbeschichtungen' (tank coatings) or 'Druckausgleich im Tank' (pressure equalization in the tank). You understand the historical etymology of the word and how it was borrowed into German. You can use the word in professional reports, perhaps describing the 'Lagerkapazitäten in den Tanks' of a logistics company. You are also sensitive to the stylistic choices between using 'Tank', 'Behälter', 'Reservoir', or 'Zisterne' to evoke specific images or technical precision. You can discuss the socio-economic impact of 'Tanktourismus' (traveling across borders to refuel at cheaper prices) with ease.

At the C2 level, you command the word 'der Tank' with the precision of a native speaker. You can interpret and use the word in any context, from highly specialized engineering manuals to poetic metaphors. You might analyze the use of 'Tank' in a political speech regarding 'Energiereserven' or 'strategische Öltanks'. You are fully aware of all rare regional variations or archaic technical terms related to liquid storage. Your ability to use the word in complex, multi-clause sentences is perfect, and you can effortlessly switch between the literal meaning and metaphorical extensions like 'einen leeren Tank haben' to describe extreme burnout or lack of resources. You are also capable of explaining the 'Panzer/Tank' distinction to other learners with historical and linguistic depth.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

der Tank in 30 Seconds

A masculine noun (der Tank) referring to a container for liquids/gases.
Commonly used for fuel tanks in cars (Benzintank) or heating oil (Öltank).
Plural is 'die Tanks'; avoid 'Tanke' which is slang for gas station.
False friend alert: Military tanks are called 'Panzer' in German.

The German word der Tank is a masculine noun that primarily refers to a large container designed for the storage of liquids or gases. For English speakers, the most immediate and frequent association is with the automotive industry, specifically the fuel tank of a car, known in German as the Benzintank or Kraftstofftank. However, the scope of the word extends far beyond just vehicles. It encompasses industrial storage units, domestic heating oil containers, and even large-scale reservoirs used in chemical plants or breweries. Understanding this word is essential for navigating daily life in Germany, especially if you plan to drive, manage a household with oil heating, or work in technical fields.

Automotive Context: In everyday conversation, you will most often hear this word when someone is talking about their car's fuel level. When the fuel gauge (Tankanzeige) points to 'empty,' it is time to visit a Tankstelle (gas station).
Industrial Usage: In a factory or laboratory setting, der Tank refers to any large-scale vat or pressure vessel used to hold raw materials like milk, chemicals, or pressurized air.

Ich muss heute noch zur Tankstelle, weil der Tank fast leer ist.

Translation: I have to go to the gas station today because the tank is almost empty.

Crucially, for English speakers, there is a major linguistic trap to avoid. While 'tank' in English can refer to a military armored vehicle, in German, this is almost exclusively called der Panzer. If you use 'der Tank' while pointing at a military vehicle, Germans will likely understand you but will view it as a direct anglicism. The word Tank in German is strictly the container, not the vehicle itself. This distinction is vital for clear communication. Furthermore, the word is used in various technical compounds like Wassertank (water tank) or Öltank (oil tank), which are common in discussions about home maintenance and infrastructure.

Der LKW hat einen riesigen Tank für den Transport von Milch.

In environmental contexts, you might hear about Tankleckage (tank leakage) or regulations regarding the safety of underground storage tanks. This highlights the word's importance in legal and safety discussions. When you are at an A2 level, you should be comfortable using this word to describe your vehicle's needs and understanding basic signs at a service station. As you progress, you will see it combined with adjectives like fest installiert (fixed-mount) or mobil (mobile), expanding its utility into professional and logistics-based German.

Using der Tank correctly requires an understanding of German noun cases and the common verbs that accompany it. Since it is a masculine noun, its article changes depending on its role in the sentence. In the nominative, it is der Tank; in the accusative (the most common case for this word when you are doing something to it), it becomes den Tank; and in the dative, it is dem Tank.

Nominative (Subject): Der Tank ist voll. (The tank is full.) Here, the tank is the subject performing the 'state of being.'
Accusative (Direct Object): Ich fülle den Tank. (I am filling the tank.) Since you are acting upon the tank, it takes the accusative 'den'.

Common verbs associated with der Tank include füllen (to fill), leeren (to empty), reinigen (to clean), and prüfen (to check). You will also frequently see it used with the verb tanken, which specifically means 'to refuel' or 'to get gas'. While tanken is a verb, it is directly derived from the noun. For example, 'Ich muss tanken' (I need to refuel) is much more common than saying 'Ich muss Benzin in den Tank füllen.'

Haben Sie den Tank schon kontrolliert?

Translation: Have you already checked the tank?

In more complex sentences, der Tank often appears as part of a compound noun. Compound nouns are a hallmark of German grammar. By attaching words to Tank, you can specify exactly what kind of tank you are talking about. A Wassertank is for water, a Fischtank (though Aquarium is more common) is for fish, and a Gastank is for gas. Note that in these compounds, the gender of the final noun determines the gender of the whole word. Since Tank is masculine, all these compounds are also masculine.

Die Kapazität des Tanks beträgt fünfzig Liter.

Translation: The capacity of the tank is fifty liters. (Genitive case)

When describing the state of a tank, adjectives like leer (empty), halbvoll (half-full), and überfüllt (overfilled) are essential. You might also use undicht (leaky) if there is a technical problem. In a conversational setting at an A2 level, you might say, 'Mein Tank ist fast leer, wir müssen die nächste Tankstelle finden.' This sentence combines the noun, an adjective, and a related compound noun, demonstrating a solid grasp of the word's practical application.

If you are living or traveling in a German-speaking country, you will encounter the word der Tank in several key environments. The most obvious is the Tankstelle. German gas stations are often social hubs on Sundays when other shops are closed, as they sell basic groceries. You will see the word Tank on digital displays inside cars, on receipts (Quittungen), and on signage indicating the location of the fuel filler neck (Tankklappe).

At the Gas Station: Listen for the attendant asking, 'An welcher Säule haben Sie getankt?' (At which pump did you refuel?) or seeing signs like 'Tankdeckel bitte schließen' (Please close the fuel cap).
In Home Maintenance: If you live in a house with oil heating, you will hear about the Heizöltank. Discussions about how much oil is left before winter are a common domestic topic.

Der Wassertank der Kaffeemaschine muss entkalkt werden.

Translation: The coffee machine's water tank needs to be descaled.

Beyond the physical container, the word appears in news reports concerning logistics and the environment. For example, a Tanklaster (tank truck) might be involved in a traffic report, or a Tankschiff (tanker ship) might be mentioned in news about global trade or oil spills. In these contexts, Tank signifies large-scale transport of liquid goods. You might also hear it in the context of sports or health, metaphorically, though this is less common than in English. A German might say they need to 'Energie tanken' (refuel energy) by taking a vacation or a nap.

Vorsicht! Der Tank steht unter hohem Druck.

Translation: Caution! The tank is under high pressure.

Finally, in the workplace, especially in chemical, food processing, or automotive industries, der Tank is a standard technical term. Engineers discuss Tankvolumen (tank volume) and Tankmaterial. If you are learning German for professional reasons, mastering the compounds of Tank will allow you to describe complex storage systems with precision. Even in a simple office setting, you might hear it regarding the Wassertank of the communal espresso machine, a frequent topic of minor office frustration when it runs dry.

The most significant mistake English speakers make with der Tank is the 'False Friend' error involving military vehicles. In English, a 'tank' is an armored fighting vehicle with tracks. In German, if you call a military tank 'ein Tank,' you are technically referring only to its fuel container. The vehicle itself is der Panzer. This is a classic pitfall for learners who assume the English word carries over all its meanings into German.

Mistake: Tank vs. Panzer: English: 'Look at that military tank!' -> Incorrect German: 'Schau dir diesen militärischen Tank an!' -> Correct German: 'Schau dir diesen Panzer an!'
Mistake: Gender Confusion: Learners often default to 'das Tank' because many technical objects in English are perceived as neuter. Remember: der Tank is masculine.

Falsch: Ich fülle das Tank.
Richtig: Ich fülle den Tank.

Another common error involves the plural form. Many learners try to apply German pluralization rules like adding '-e' (*Tanke*) or '-en' (*Tanken*). However, Tank is a loanword from English, and like many English loanwords, it retains the '-s' plural ending: die Tanks. Note that die Tanke is actually a slang term for the gas station itself, not the plural of the container. Using 'die Tanke' when you mean 'multiple tanks' will cause confusion.

Wir haben drei große Tanks im Keller.

Correct plural: Tanks (not Tanke or Tanken).

Finally, be careful with the verb tanken. While it means 'to refuel,' it is often used transitively with the fuel type, not the tank itself. You say 'Ich tanke Benzin' (I'm refueling gasoline), not 'Ich tanke den Tank' (which sounds redundant). If you want to mention the tank with the verb, use a preposition: 'Ich fülle Benzin in den Tank.' Mastering these subtle distinctions will prevent you from sounding like a beginner and help you navigate technical and daily situations with much more confidence.

While der Tank is the standard term for a large liquid container, German offers several synonyms and related words depending on the size, material, and purpose of the container. Knowing these alternatives will help you be more precise in your descriptions.

Der Behälter: This is a general term for 'container'. While a tank is a type of Behälter, a Behälter can also be a small plastic box or a trash can. Use Tank for something specifically designed for liquids/gases and usually of a larger size.
Das Reservoir: Used more in scientific or large-scale contexts, like a water reservoir behind a dam. It implies a 'reserve' or a large natural or artificial lake.
Der Kanister: A Kanister is a portable container, like a 'jerry can'. If you carry fuel to your car because you ran out, you are using a Benzinkanister, not a Tank.

Der Wein reift in einem großen Edelstahltank.

Here, 'Tank' is used for industrial food production.

Another word often confused with Tank in specific contexts is die Zisterne. A Zisterne (cistern) is specifically an underground tank used for collecting rainwater. While technically a tank, it is almost always called a Zisterne in residential architecture. Similarly, das Fass (barrel) is used for wooden or metal cylindrical containers, especially for beer or wine. While a modern brewery might use Stahltanks, traditional storage uses Fässer.

Wir brauchen einen Ersatzbehälter, da der Haupttank undicht ist.

Example using 'Behälter' as a general substitute.

In summary, choose Tank for fuel, industrial liquids, and built-in appliance containers. Choose Kanister for portable fuel, Fass for barrels, Zisterne for rainwater, and Behälter as a safe, all-purpose fallback if you aren't sure of the specific term. Understanding these nuances will make your German sound much more natural and precise, especially in technical or domestic settings.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The military vehicle is called 'tank' in English because the British used the word as a code name during WWI to trick enemies into thinking they were building water tanks. German adopted 'Tank' for the container but chose 'Panzer' (armor) for the vehicle.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /taŋk/

US /tæŋk/

The stress is on the only syllable: Tank.

Rhymes With

Bank dank krank schlank Trank Schrank Zank blank

Common Errors

Pronouncing it like the English 'tank' with an 'ae' sound.
Adding an extra syllable at the end.
Softening the 'k' at the end.
Using a long 'a' sound.
Nasalizing the vowel too much.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize due to English similarity.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering the masculine gender and the -s plural.

Speaking 2/5

Simple pronunciation, but avoid English 'ae' sound.

Listening 2/5

Very distinct sound, easy to pick out in conversation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

das Auto das Wasser leer voll groß

Learn Next

tanken die Tankstelle das Benzin der Diesel der Behälter

Advanced

die Zisterne das Reservoir die Korrosion das Fassungsvermögen der Druckbehälter

Grammar to Know

Masculine Noun Declension

Der Tank (Nom), den Tank (Acc), dem Tank (Dat), des Tanks (Gen).

Compound Nouns

Wasser + Tank = der Wassertank (gender comes from the last word).

Loanword Plurals

Many English loanwords like 'Tank' take an '-s' in the plural: die Tanks.

Accusative with 'in'

Ich fülle Benzin in den Tank (movement into a space).

Dative with 'in'

Das Benzin ist im Tank (location inside a space).

Examples by Level

Der Tank ist leer.

The tank is empty.

Nominative masculine singular.

Mein Auto hat einen großen Tank.

My car has a large tank.

Accusative masculine singular (einen... Tank).

Wo ist der Tank?

Where is the tank?

Question with nominative subject.

Ich brauche Benzin für den Tank.

I need gasoline for the tank.

Accusative after the preposition 'für'.

Der Tank ist voll.

The tank is full.

Simple predicate adjective structure.

Das ist ein Tank.

That is a tank.

Nominative after 'sein'.

Der Tank ist aus Metall.

The tank is made of metal.

Describing material.

Hier ist der Tank.

Here is the tank.

Locative adverb with nominative.

Wir müssen den Tank füllen.

We must fill the tank.

Accusative object of the verb 'füllen'.

Der Wassertank der Kaffeemaschine ist leer.

The water tank of the coffee machine is empty.

Compound noun: Wassertank.

Er öffnet den Tankdeckel.

He opens the tank cap.

Compound noun: Tankdeckel.

Wie viel Liter passen in den Tank?

How many liters fit in the tank?

Accusative after 'in' showing movement/direction.

Der Tank ist fast leer.

The tank is almost empty.

Use of the adverb 'fast'.

Ich sehe ein Leck im Tank.

I see a leak in the tank.

Dative after 'in' showing location.

Der Tankwart hilft mir.

The gas station attendant helps me.

Compound noun: Tankwart.

Die Tankanzeige funktioniert nicht.

The fuel gauge is not working.

Compound noun: Tankanzeige.

Wegen des defekten Tanks blieb das Auto stehen.

Because of the defective tank, the car stopped.

Genitive case after 'wegen'.

Der Tanklaster transportiert Heizöl.

The tank truck transports heating oil.

Compound noun: Tanklaster.

Wir haben einen neuen Öltank im Keller installiert.

We installed a new oil tank in the basement.

Accusative object with adjective ending.

Das Schiff hat mehrere Tanks für Rohöl.

The ship has several tanks for crude oil.

Plural form: Tanks.

Man muss den Tank regelmäßig reinigen.

One must clean the tank regularly.

Infinitive construction with 'man'.

Die Kapazität des Tanks beträgt 60 Liter.

The capacity of the tank is 60 liters.

Genitive singular: des Tanks.

Es ist gefährlich, einen leeren Gastank zu öffnen.

It is dangerous to open an empty gas tank.

Adjective-noun combination in accusative.

Nach dem Urlaub müssen wir erst mal Energie tanken.

After the vacation, we first need to recharge our energy.

Metaphorical use of the related verb 'tanken'.

Der Tank wurde aus rostfreiem Edelstahl gefertigt.

The tank was manufactured from stainless steel.

Passive voice (wurde... gefertigt).

Die Sensoren überwachen den Druck im Tank.

The sensors monitor the pressure in the tank.

Dative location: im Tank.

Durch eine Korrosion am Tank trat Kraftstoff aus.

Fuel leaked out due to corrosion on the tank.

Prepositional phrase with dative.

Die Firma produziert Tanks für die chemische Industrie.

The company produces tanks for the chemical industry.

Plural accusative object.

Eine fachgerechte Entsorgung des alten Tanks ist zwingend.

A professional disposal of the old tank is mandatory.

Genitive with adjective ending.

Der Tankinhalt muss genau dokumentiert werden.

The tank content must be precisely documented.

Compound noun: Tankinhalt.

Bei diesem Modell ist der Tank unter dem Rücksitz verbaut.

In this model, the tank is installed under the rear seat.

Stative passive with 'ist verbaut'.

Sicherheitsventile verhindern eine Explosion des Tanks.

Safety valves prevent an explosion of the tank.

Genitive case.

Die thermische Isolierung des Tanks gewährleistet stabile Temperaturen.

The thermal insulation of the tank ensures stable temperatures.

Complex genitive construction.

In den Tanks lagern die strategischen Ölreserven des Landes.

The country's strategic oil reserves are stored in the tanks.

Dative plural: in den Tanks.

Der Tank wurde einer strengen Druckprüfung unterzogen.

The tank was subjected to a strict pressure test.

Dative object with 'unterzogen'.

Aufgrund der hohen Volatilität muss der Tank speziell beschichtet sein.

Due to the high volatility, the tank must be specially coated.

Adverbial phrase with 'aufgrund'.

Die Entlüftung des Tanks erfolgt über ein komplexes Filtersystem.

The venting of the tank takes place via a complex filter system.

Subject with genitive attribute.

Wir müssen die Dichtheit der Tanks regelmäßig verifizieren.

We must regularly verify the tightness of the tanks.

Accusative plural with genitive.

Ein Überlaufen des Tanks hätte katastrophale Folgen für die Umwelt.

An overflow of the tank would have catastrophic consequences for the environment.

Subjunctive II (hätte).

Die Tanksäule ist mit modernster RFID-Technik ausgestattet.

The fuel pump is equipped with the latest RFID technology.

Compound noun: Tanksäule.

Die strukturelle Integrität des Tanks wurde durch die Korrosion kompromittiert.

The structural integrity of the tank was compromised by corrosion.

High-level passive voice.

Es bedarf einer gründlichen Revision der unterirdischen Tanks.

A thorough revision of the underground tanks is required.

Use of 'es bedarf' + genitive.

Die Tanks fungieren als Puffer in diesem komplexen Versorgungskreislauf.

The tanks function as buffers in this complex supply cycle.

Metaphorical/Technical 'fungieren als'.

Jegliche Manipulation am Tank führt zum Erlöschen der Betriebserlaubnis.

Any manipulation of the tank leads to the expiration of the operating permit.

Legal/Technical register.

Die Tanks sind so konzipiert, dass sie extremen seismischen Erschütterungen standhalten.

The tanks are designed to withstand extreme seismic shocks.

Consecutive clause (so... dass).

In der Literatur wird der 'leere Tank' oft als Metapher für geistige Erschöpfung genutzt.

In literature, the 'empty tank' is often used as a metaphor for mental exhaustion.

Abstract literary context.

Die Befüllung der Tanks unterliegt strengsten Sicherheitsvorkehrungen.

The filling of the tanks is subject to the strictest safety precautions.

Verb 'unterliegen' + dative.

Trotz der Modernisierung weisen die alten Tanks signifikante Mängel auf.

Despite the modernization, the old tanks show significant defects.

Concessive preposition 'trotz'.

Common Collocations

den Tank füllen

leerer Tank

voller Tank

unterirdischer Tank

undichter Tank

den Tank reinigen

Tank aus Edelstahl

großer Tank

Tank für Heizöl

den Tank prüfen

Common Phrases

Energie tanken

— To recharge one's batteries or energy, literally 'to refuel energy'.

Im Urlaub kann ich richtig Energie tanken.

Sonne tanken

— To soak up the sun or get some vitamin D.

Wir gehen in den Park, um Sonne zu tanken.

vollgetankt haben

— To have a full tank of gas.

Keine Sorge, ich habe gestern schon vollgetankt.

den Tank leerfahren

— To drive until the tank is completely empty.

Du solltest den Tank nicht ganz leerfahren.

bis zum Anschlag tanken

— To fill the tank to the absolute maximum.

Er hat den Wagen bis zum Anschlag getankt.

einen Tankstopp einlegen

— To make a pit stop for refueling.

Wir müssen bald einen Tankstopp einlegen.

die Tanke

— Slang for 'the gas station'.

Ich bin mal kurz an der Tanke.

Tank-Tourismus

— Traveling to another country to buy cheaper fuel.

An der Grenze gibt es viel Tank-Tourismus.

Tankanzeige beachten

— To keep an eye on the fuel gauge.

Du musst die Tankanzeige besser beachten.

Zusatztank

— An auxiliary or extra tank.

Das Flugzeug hat einen Zusatztank.

Often Confused With

der Tank vs Panzer

English speakers often say 'Tank' when they mean the military vehicle 'Panzer'.

der Tank vs Kanister

A 'Kanister' is portable; a 'Tank' is usually fixed or part of a machine.

der Tank vs Tanke

Slang for the gas station, not the container.

Idioms & Expressions

"Energie tanken"

— To relax and recover strength.

Nach der Arbeit muss ich erst mal Energie tanken.

informal/common

"Sonne tanken"

— To spend time in the sun to feel better.

Lass uns am Strand Sonne tanken.

informal

"Frische Luft tanken"

— To go outside for some fresh air.

Ich gehe kurz raus, um frische Luft zu tanken.

informal

"Kraft tanken"

— Similar to 'Energie tanken', to regain strength.

Er braucht Ruhe, um neue Kraft zu tanken.

neutral

"Selbstvertrauen tanken"

— To gain confidence through success.

Der Sieg half der Mannschaft, Selbstvertrauen zu tanken.

journalistic

"Wissen tanken"

— To absorb a lot of information (rare/playful).

In der Bibliothek kann man Wissen tanken.

informal

"den Tank voll haben"

— To be ready and full of energy (metaphorical).

Ich habe den Tank voll und bin bereit für die Prüfung.

informal

"auf Reserve fahren"

— To be running on low energy or resources (derived from the reserve tank).

Ich arbeite seit Wochen auf Reserve.

informal

"den Karren in den Dreck fahren"

— Though not using 'tank', often associated with car/fuel contexts; to mess things up.

Ohne Benzin hast du den Karren in den Dreck gefahren.

slang

"Einen im Tee haben"

— To be drunk (not related to tank, but often confused by learners looking for liquid idioms).

Er hat wohl einen im Tee.

informal

Easily Confused

der Tank vs Panzer

Both are 'tank' in English.

Der Tank is the container for liquid; der Panzer is the armored military vehicle.

Der Panzer hat einen großen Tank für Diesel.

der Tank vs Behälter

Synonyms for container.

Behälter is general (any box/bin); Tank is specifically for liquids/gases and usually large.

Der Tank ist ein spezieller Behälter für Benzin.

der Tank vs Fass

Both hold liquids.

Fass is a barrel (usually wooden/cylindrical); Tank is modern/industrial.

Bier wird in Fässern oder großen Tanks gelagert.

der Tank vs Zisterne

Both store water.

Zisterne is specifically for rainwater, often underground.

Wir füllen den Tank mit Wasser aus der Zisterne.

der Tank vs Reservoir

Both mean storage.

Reservoir is often large-scale/natural; Tank is man-made/technical.

Der Tank ist Teil eines größeren Reservoirs.

Sentence Patterns

Der Tank ist [Adjektiv].

Der Tank ist leer.

Ich muss den Tank [Verb].

Ich muss den Tank füllen.

Wegen des [Adjektiv] Tanks...

Wegen des leeren Tanks...

Der Tank dient zur [Substantiv].

Der Tank dient zur Lagerung von Öl.

Die [Substantiv] des Tanks erfolgt durch...

Die Reinigung des Tanks erfolgt durch Fachpersonal.

In Anbetracht der Kapazität des Tanks...

In Anbetracht der Kapazität des Tanks ist die Reichweite gering.

Es passt [Menge] in den Tank.

Es passen 50 Liter in den Tank.

Ein Tank aus [Material].

Ein Tank aus Kunststoff.

Word Family

Nouns

Tankstelle

Tankwart

Tankwagen

Tankanzeige

Tankdeckel

Tanklaster

Tankschiff

Verbs

tanken

auftanken

volltanken

leertanken

Adjectives

tankbar (rare)

tanksicher

Benzin

Diesel

Kraftstoff

Behälter

Zapfsäule

How to Use It

frequency

High, especially in automotive and household contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using 'der Tank' for a military tank. → der Panzer
In German, 'Tank' is only the container. The armored vehicle is always 'Panzer'.
Saying 'das Tank'. → der Tank
The word is masculine. Use 'der' (Nom) or 'den' (Acc).
Pluralizing as 'die Tanke' or 'die Tanken'. → die Tanks
As a loanword, it takes the '-s' plural ending.
Saying 'Ich fülle den Tank Benzin'. → Ich fülle Benzin in den Tank.
You need the preposition 'in' to show the destination of the liquid.
Confusing 'Tank' with 'Tanke'. → Der Tank (container) / Die Tankstelle (station).
'Die Tanke' is slang for the whole station, not the container itself.

Tips

Masculine Articles

Always pair 'Tank' with masculine articles. Remember: 'Der Tank ist voll' but 'Ich fülle den Tank'.

The Panzer Rule

Never call a military tank 'ein Tank' in German unless you want to sound like you're only talking about its fuel tank. Use 'der Panzer'.

Pronunciation

Keep the 'a' short and crisp. Avoid the drawn-out American 'ae' sound found in 'bank'.

Gas Station Slang

Use 'Tanke' when talking to friends about going to the gas station, but 'Tankstelle' in any other context.

Compound Power

German loves compounds. Use 'Benzintank' instead of 'Tank für Benzin' to sound more native.

Sunday Shopping

Remember that 'Tankstellen' are often the only places to buy bread or milk on a Sunday in Germany.

Industrial Use

In a factory, 'Tank' usually refers to a large stainless steel vat, not a small container.

Warning Signs

If you see 'Tank leerfahren verboten', it means you shouldn't let the tank run dry, often for safety or technical reasons.

Self-Care

Use 'Energie tanken' when you're telling someone you need a break or a vacation.

Plural Ending

The plural is simply 'Tanks'. Don't add an '-e' or '-en' like you would with most masculine nouns.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Tank' as a 'Thank' you to your car for driving you – you give it a 'Tank' of gas. Also, remember 'Der Tank' is a man's name (like 'Tank' Malone), so it's masculine.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant metal 'T' shaped container filled with blue water or yellow gasoline. The 'T' stands for Tank.

Word Web

Auto Benzin Tankstelle voll leer tanken Öl Behälter

Challenge

Try to find five things in your house that have a 'Tank' (e.g., coffee machine, iron, car, heating system) and name them in German.

Word Origin

Borrowed from English 'tank' in the 19th century. The English word itself comes from the Portuguese 'tanque' (pond/cistern), which likely stems from the Latin 'stagnum' (standing water).

Original meaning: A pool or lake for storing water.

Germanic (borrowed from English, originally Romance).

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but be careful not to confuse 'Tank' with 'Panzer' in military history contexts as it sounds uneducated.

In English, 'tank' is a military vehicle. In German, it is only the container. This is a common source of confusion in action movies or history books.

The song 'An der Tanke' (informal references in pop culture). Technical manuals for BMW, Mercedes, and VW. News reports about 'Tankschiff' accidents in the Rhine.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the gas station

Wo ist der Tankdeckel?
Den Tank bitte vollmachen.
Die Tankanzeige ist kaputt.
Wie viel passt in den Tank?

Home maintenance

Der Öltank ist fast leer.
Wir müssen den Wassertank füllen.
Ist der Tank im Keller?
Der Tank muss gereinigt werden.

Industrial/Work

Prüfen Sie den Druck im Tank.
Der Tank ist aus Edelstahl.
Das Tankvolumen beträgt 1000 Liter.
Vorsicht, der Tank ist heiß.

Travel/Camping

Hat das Wohnmobil einen Abwassertank?
Füll den Wassertank auf.
Der Gastank ist angeschlossen.
Wir brauchen einen Ersatztank.

Environmental discussion

Der Tank ist undicht.
Öl tritt aus dem Tank aus.
Der Tank muss entsorgt werden.
Ein doppelwandiger Tank ist sicherer.

Conversation Starters

"Wissen Sie, wie viel Liter in den Tank Ihres Autos passen?"

"Haben Sie zu Hause einen großen Wassertank für den Garten?"

"Wann haben Sie das letzte Mal vollgetankt?"

"Glauben Sie, dass wir in Zukunft noch Benzintanks brauchen werden?"

"Mussten Sie schon einmal einen Tank reinigen oder reparieren?"

Journal Prompts

Beschreibe eine Situation, in der dein Tank fast leer war und du Angst hattest, stehen zu bleiben.

Warum ist es wichtig, den Wassertank einer Kaffeemaschine regelmäßig zu reinigen?

Was denkst du über 'Tank-Tourismus'? Ist es ethisch vertretbar?

Stell dir vor, du planst ein Haus. Welche Art von Tanks (Wasser, Öl, Gas) würdest du einbauen?

Wie fühlst du dich, wenn du 'deine Batterien auftankst'? Was machst du dabei?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, in German, a military tank is called 'der Panzer'. 'Der Tank' only refers to the container that holds liquids like fuel or water. This is a very common mistake for English speakers.

The plural is 'die Tanks'. Because it is a loanword from English, it follows the pattern of adding an '-s' instead of the more traditional German plural endings.

No, 'die Tanke' is very informal slang for a gas station. In formal writing, use 'die Tankstelle' or 'der Kraftstoffbehälter' if referring to the container.

It is masculine: 'der Tank'. You must use masculine articles and adjective endings, such as 'einen großen Tank' in the accusative.

A 'Wassertank' is a water tank. You will find these in coffee machines, campers, and industrial systems for storing water.

You use the verb 'tanken'. For example, 'Ich muss tanken' (I need to refuel/get gas).

Yes, it can be used for gases, such as in 'Gastank'. It is common for heating or industrial gas storage.

A 'Tanklaster' is a tank truck or tanker truck used to transport liquids like gasoline or milk on the road.

Yes, common idioms include 'Energie tanken' (to recharge energy) and 'Sonne tanken' (to soak up sun).

The genitive is 'des Tanks'. For example: 'Die Kapazität des Tanks ist groß' (The capacity of the tank is large).