German word

laufen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈlaʊ̯fn̩/

Meaning

  • verbrun

Example

Er läuft schnell im Park.

He is running fast in the park.

Illustration for laufen (run)

More examples

Ich laufe jeden Morgen zur Arbeit.

I run to work every morning.

Core concept

Feet carry a person onward, while a machine or event can likewise continue along its course.

Common phrases

  • laufen schnell

    run quickly

  • nach Hause laufen

    run home

  • im Wald laufen

    run in the forest

Similar words

rennen: Move at a very fast pace to cover ground quickly.
gehen: Move on foot at an ordinary walking pace.
joggen: Run steadily at a gentle pace for fitness or exercise.
eilen: Move quickly in order to reach a destination without delay.

Definition in German

sich mit zügigen Schritten fortbewegen

Word origin

The older Germanic verb behind laufen is reconstructed as Proto-Germanic *hlaupaną and appears as Old High German loufan, with English leap as a related form.

Usage tips

  • For movement in the perfect, laufen normally takes sein: "Er ist im Park gelaufen."

Other meanings

  • walkverb
  • operateverb
  • be playingverb

Opposites

Related words

  • der Laufrunningnoun
  • der Läuferrunnernoun
  • laufendongoingadjective

Word lists with this word