verb
to refuel
B1
Meaning: to refuel (a vehicle) — e.g., tanken an der Tankstelle. Common uses: 'einen Wagen tanken' or colloquially 'Tanken' at the station. Auxiliary haben; regular weak verb (Perfekt: getankt). Not reflexive and takes no special preposition. Also used informally for 'recharge' energy.
Examples
Der Fahrer tankte das Auto, bevor die lange Fahrt begann, damit er nicht unterwegs stoppen musste.
The driver refueled the car before the long trip began so that he would not have to stop on the way.
Ich tanke mein Auto.
I'm filling up my car.
Ich habe das Auto getankt.
I refueled the car.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture putting a fuel nozzle into a car and saying 'time to tank'.
Sounds like 'tank' in English — think filling the car's tank.
Notes
Commonly used for putting fuel into a vehicle. Uses 'getankt' in perfect tense.