Dampfer

steamer

noun DAHMP-fer Rare

Origin: from Dampf (steam)

Also means

steamship

Usage Note

Dampfer is masculine and unchanged in the plural. Though steam power is historic, the word survives for pleasure paddle steamers on lakes and rivers, such as the Raddampfer.

Examples

"Ein alter Dampfer tuckert über den Bodensee."

Natural Translation

An old steamer chugs across Lake Constance.

Literal Translation

An old steamer chugs over the Lake-Constance.

Related Words

Explore German by topic

GermanNow

How to Tell Time in German Without Mistakes

Halb sieben means 6:30, not 7:30. Master telling time in German — Viertel nach, halb, vor, the 24-hour clock, and the prepositions that trip up beginners.

June 5, 2026 5 min read

GermanNow

German Adjective Endings Made Simple

German adjective endings come down to one question, not three tables: does the article already show gender and case? If yes, the adjective stays lazy.

June 5, 2026 6 min read

GermanNow

Wo, Wohin, Woher: Three Ways to Say Where

German splits where into three: wo (location), wohin (destination), and woher (origin). Learn the wo vs wohin rule, the hin/her logic, and common mistakes.

June 5, 2026 6 min read

GermanNow

German Numbers 1–100: Why 21 Is Said Backwards

German numbers 1 to 100 reverse the digits: 21 is einundzwanzig (one-and-twenty). Learn the und rule, the irregulars, and how to hear prices fast.

June 5, 2026 6 min read