Kombi

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of vehicle, often a van or minibus, designed for transporting people or goods in a compact space
2. A popular choice among families and groups for its versatility and spacious interior
3. A term used in some regions to refer to a specific style of vehicle known for combining elements of a bus and a car

Etymology: The word began as a trademark. Volkswagen's Kombi was a van model, and its name came from German "Kombi", a shortened form of "Kombinationswagen", meaning a vehicle that combines passenger and cargo space. Over time the brand name lost its capital letter and its link to one manufacturer, and "kombi" came to mean any van-like vehicle that blends the features of a bus and a car. This is what linguists call a genericized trademark, the same route taken by words like "escalator" and "aspirin". In South Africa the word took a particular hold, where it was reinforced by the Afrikaans "kombi", so speakers there encounter it in everyday use. Here the vehicle is often a shared minibus taxi, a fitting extension of a name originally tied to a single van model.

Synonyms: van, minibus, bus, people carrier, shuttle