German word

lauern

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈlaʊ̯ɐn/

Meaning

  • verblie in wait

Example

Er lauert hinter dem Zaun.

He is lying in wait behind the fence.

Illustration for lauern (lie in wait)

More examples

Betrüger lauern oft auf Touristen.

Scammers often lie in wait for tourists.

Core concept

A hidden figure waits beside a path, watching quietly for the moment to spring into action.

Common phrases

  • Gefahr lauert

    Danger lurks

  • am Straßenrand lauern

    lurk at the roadside

  • lauern auf Touristen

    lie in wait for tourists

Similar words

auflauern: Waiting in hiding for someone to appear, often with the aim of ambushing them.
anschleichen: Moving quietly and cautiously toward someone without being noticed.
verfolgen: Following someone closely while continuing to monitor their movements.

Definition in German

Sich heimlich verbergen und geduldig warten, bis der richtige Augenblick für ein überraschendes Eingreifen kommt.

Word origin

German lauern developed from Middle High German luren, which referred to hiding and waiting for a suitable opportunity.

Usage tips

  • Lauern commonly takes auf plus the accusative for a target, as in auf Beute lauern or auf jemanden lauern.

Other meanings

  • lurkverb
  • be on the lookout forverb

Word lists with this word