German word

Literatur

Pronunciation

IPA/lɪtəʁaˈtuːɐ̯/

Meaning

  • feminine nounliterature

Example

Ich interessiere mich für verschiedene Literaturen.

I'm interested in various kinds of literature.

Illustration for Literatur (literature)

More examples

Im Seminar lesen wir oft deutsche Literatur.

In the seminar, we often read German literature.

Core concept

A broad library holding stories, poems, and research works as parts of a larger written world.

Common phrases

  • deutsche Literatur

    German literature

  • Weltliteratur

    world literature

Similar words

Buch: A bound or published volume containing written work.
Roman: A lengthy work of fictional prose.
Lektüre: A text or book selected for reading or study.

Definition in German

Gesamtheit schriftlicher Texte, vor allem erzählerische und wissenschaftliche Werke.

Word origin

German Literatur goes back to Latin litteratura, formed from littera, meaning 'letter', and referring to writing.

Usage tips

  • Literatur is usually a mass noun in German, while the plural Literaturen refers to distinct national, historical, or academic bodies of work.

Other meanings

  • written sourcesnoun

Related words

  • literarischliteraryadjective
  • Literaturkritikliterary criticismnoun

Word lists with this word