German word

Laster

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈlastɐ/

Meaning

  • neuter nounbad habit

Example

Jeder Mensch hat seine Laster.

Everyone has their own bad habits.

Illustration for Laster (bad habit)

More examples

Trotz seines Erfolgs konnte er sein Laster nicht ablegen.

Despite his success, he could not give up his bad habit.

Core concept

A repeated burden weighs on a person's character, while a large vehicle carries a physical load.

Common phrases

  • ein Laster haben

    have a bad habit

  • sein Laster aufgeben

    give up one's bad habit

  • ein Laster überwinden

    overcome a bad habit

Similar words

Gewohnheit: A regular behavior repeated in everyday life.
Sucht: A condition marked by powerful urges that resist voluntary control.

Definition in German

ein wiederkehrendes, moralisch negatives Verhalten; umgangssprachlich auch Kurzform für Lastwagen (Fahrzeug zum Gütertransport)

Word origin

The moral sense descends from Middle High German lāster, while the vehicle sense is a colloquial shortening of Lastwagen, with Last meaning a load.

Usage tips

  • Laster is neuter and has an unchanged plural: das Laster and die Laster.

Other meanings

  • lorrynoun

Opposites

  • Tugendvirtuenoun
  • Tugendhaftigkeitvirtuousnessnoun

Related words

  • lasterhaftviciousadjective
  • Lasterhaftigkeitviciousnessnoun

Word lists with this word