German word

lauten

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈlaʊ̯tən/

Meaning

  • verbsay

Example

Die Antwort lautet nein.

The answer says "no".

Illustration for lauten (say)

More examples

Wie lautet dein Name?

What is your name?

Core concept

A fixed line stands ready to be given exactly, whether it appears in a document or comes as an answer.

Common phrases

  • Wie lautet dein Name?

    What is your name?

  • Wie lautet deine Telefonnummer?

    What is your telephone number?

Similar words

sagen: Something is stated or communicated through speech or writing.
heißen: A person or thing bears a particular name or designation.
stehen: Written information is recorded in specific words.

Definition in German

in bestimmten Worten formuliert sein; so angegeben oder wiedergegeben werden, etwa bei Antworten, Titeln oder Vorschriften.

Word origin

German lauten continues Middle High German lūten, meaning to sound, with the modern verb extending that idea to the wording in which something is expressed.

Usage tips

  • The question Wie lautet ...? asks for the exact wording of an answer, title, rule, or similar expression, not simply for its general meaning.

Other meanings

  • be saidverb
  • be expressedverb
  • be writtenverb
  • soundverb

Word lists with this word