Benz is an informal name for a Mercedes-Benz — the German car with the three-pointed star. People say “a Benz” the way they say “a BMW”: they mean the brand, not one special model.

Benz is Benz是 an informal name for a Mercedes-BenzMercedes-Benz的非正式說法—— the German car with the three-pointed star就是那台有三角星標誌的德國車。 People人們 say "a Benz"說「a Benz」 the way they say "a BMW"的方式，就像說「a BMW」一樣： they mean他們指的是 the brand品牌， not one special model不是某一款特定車型。

In a shop or a textbook you will see the long name Mercedes-Benz; in the street, Benz is enough. In Britain some people say a Merc instead; in American talk, Benz is the short form you hear.

In a shop or a textbook在店裡或教科書上 you你 will see the long name Mercedes-Benz會看到完整的名字Mercedes-Benz； in the street在街頭巷尾， Benz is enoughBenz就夠了。 In Britain在英國 some people有些人 say a Merc instead會說a Merc； in American talk在美式說法裡， Benz is the short form you hearBenz是你會聽到的簡稱。

It is casual, not rude — just shorter.

It這 is casual, not rude是隨性的講法，不是沒禮貌—— just shorter只是比較短。

Though actually Benz was first a person’s name (a German family name). Karl Benz built some of the first cars; the Mercedes part was added later.

Though actually不過其實 Benz was first a person's nameBenz本來是一個人的名字 （a German family name一個德國姓氏）。 Karl Benz built some of the first carsKarl Benz造出了最早的一些車； the Mercedes part was added laterMercedes這個部分是後來才加上去的。

So when someone says Benz today, they almost always mean the car, not the man.

So所以 when someone says Benz today現在如果有人說Benz， they almost always mean幾乎都是在指 the car那台車， not the man不是在指那個人。