Vehicles

1. l'auto

   Car

   Usage

   The general word for a car. Mountain passes can require snow tyres or chains in winter

   Grammar Note

   Auto is masculine; the article becomes l' before a vowel. There is also a longer form, automobil

2. l'autobus

   Bus

   Usage

   The local bus in a town or village. Some places, such as Scuol, run their own town bus. It can be shortened to bus

   Grammar Note

   Autobus is masculine; the article becomes l' before a vowel

3. il tren

   Train

   Usage

   The general word for a train. In Graubünden mountain lines are part of daily life as well as tourist routes

   Grammar Note

   Tren is masculine, plural trens

4. il tren regiunal

   Regional train

   Usage

   A regional train that serves smaller stations. Unlike tourist trains it can usually be boarded without a seat reservation

   Grammar Note

   The adjective regiunal follows the noun. Plural: trens regiunals

5. il Glacier Express

   Glacier Express

   Usage

   The name of the scenic train linking Zermatt and Graubünden. It is known for panoramic windows and needs a seat reservation. The name is used in English

   Grammar Note

   The train's proper name is kept as is and treated as masculine, with il

6. il Bernina Express

   Bernina Express

   Usage

   The name of the scenic train on the Bernina line. The Bernina and Albula lines are a UNESCO World Heritage site. The name is used in English

   Grammar Note

   The train's proper name is kept as is and treated as masculine, with il

7. la Viafier retica

   Rhaetian Railway

   Usage

   The mountain railway company of Graubünden (German: Rhätische Bahn, abbreviated RhB), based in Chur (Romansh: Cuira). The name appears on station signs

   Grammar Note

   Viafier is feminine and the adjective retica takes the feminine form. Abbreviated VR (German RhB)

8. il tram

   Tram

   Usage

   The tram of larger cities such as Zürich or Basel. Towns in Graubünden usually have none

   Grammar Note

   Tram is masculine

9. la funiculara

   Funicular

   Usage

   The funicular that climbs a slope on rails. The aerial cable car is a separate word (la pendiculara)

   Grammar Note

   Funiculara is feminine, plural funicularas

10. la pendiculara

    Cable car

    Usage

    The aerial cable car up the mountain. It can stop in wind or bad weather, so check the last descent

    Grammar Note

    Pendiculara is feminine. The rail funicular is la funiculara

11. il runal

    Ski lift

    Usage

    Used for the lifts that take skiers up the slope at a ski area

    Grammar Note

    Runal is masculine

12. il taxi

    Taxi

    Usage

    Use it when calling or taking a taxi. Small villages have few, so booking by phone ahead is safer

    Grammar Note

    Taxi is masculine

13. il velo

    Bicycle

    Usage

    The word for a bicycle. "Ir cun velo" means to go by bike. Mountain regions have many mountain-bike routes

    Grammar Note

    Velo is masculine. Use this form rather than the German Fahrrad

14. l'aviun

    Airplane

    Usage

    The general word for an aeroplane. Graubünden has no large airport; most visitors arrive via Zürich by train or bus

    Grammar Note

    Aviun is masculine; the article becomes l' before a vowel

15. la nav

    Ship

    Usage

    The word for a larger ship. Switzerland is landlocked, so ships mostly mean lake cruisers or trips abroad

    Grammar Note

    Nav is feminine, plural navs

16. la nav-fera

    Ferry

    Usage

    The ferry that carries people and vehicles. Mostly relevant on trips abroad

    Grammar Note

    A compound containing nav (ship); feminine

17. l'ambulanza

    Ambulance

    Usage

    The word for an ambulance. The Swiss emergency number for ambulances is 144. In the mountains a rescue helicopter may attend

    Grammar Note

    Ambulanza is feminine; the article becomes l' before a vowel

18. il camiun

    Truck

    Usage

    A heavy goods truck. On narrow mountain roads watch for oncoming lorries

    Grammar Note

    Camiun is masculine, plural camiuns

19. l'auto da posta

    PostBus (postal bus)

    Usage

    The yellow PostAuto buses of the Swiss network (Romansh: Auto da Posta). They are the main link to valleys and passes without a railway

    Grammar Note

    Literally "post car". Auto is masculine and the article becomes l' before a vowel

20. il tren a vapur

    Steam train

    Usage

    A train hauled by a steam locomotive. They mostly run as special tourist services, so check the dates in advance

    Grammar Note

    A vapur (by steam) follows and describes tren. Composed noun phrase; native review recommended

21. la locomotiva

    Locomotive

    Usage

    The engine that pulls a train. Handy at railway museums or when talking with railway fans

    Grammar Note

    Locomotiva is feminine, plural locomotivas

22. il tractor

    Tractor

    Usage

    The farm vehicle. You may meet one on mountain or farm tracks; give way

    Grammar Note

    Tractor is masculine

23. la bartga

    Boat

    Usage

    A small boat on a lake or river. Handy when renting a boat

    Grammar Note

    Bartga is feminine, plural bartgas

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