German Conversation · Level 19
90 words
German word
legen
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈleːgn̩/
Meaning
- verbput
Example
Ich lege das Buch auf den Tisch.
I put the book on the table.
More examples
Er legt das Baby vorsichtig ins Bett.
He carefully puts the baby in bed.
Core concept
A hand places an object flat on a surface, or an animal deposits an egg so it lies there.
Common phrases
sich hinlegen
lie down
das Kind ins Bett legen
put the child in bed
etwas in die Schublade legen
put something into the drawer
Similar words
stellen: Place an object so it remains upright.
setzen: Move a person or animal into a seated position.
stecken: Put an object into a hole or narrow gap.
hinlegen: Place an object flat in a particular location.
Definition in German
Etwas absichtlich in liegender Stellung auf etwas platzieren; transitiv gebraucht, auch für das Legen von Eiern.
Word origin
German legen comes from Old High German legan and an older Germanic causative related to liegen, meaning to make something lie.
Usage tips
- The object takes the accusative, as in 'Ich lege das Buch auf den Tisch'; the location after 'auf' also takes the accusative for movement toward it.