German word

leihen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈlaɪ̯ən/

Meaning

  • verblend

Example

Ich leihe dir mein Buch.

I'm lending you my book.

Illustration for leihen (lend)

More examples

Der Nachbar leiht uns seinen Rasenmäher.

The neighbor lends us his lawn mower.

Core concept

An item temporarily changes hands between two people under an expectation of return.

Common phrases

  • jemandem etwas leihen

    lend someone something

  • etwas gegen Gebühr leihen

    rent something out for a fee

  • einem Freund Geld leihen

    lend a friend money

Similar words

ausleihen: Let someone use an item temporarily, with its return expected.
borgen: Lend something informally for a limited time, expecting it back.
verleihen: Formally provide an item for temporary use, often through an institution.

Definition in German

jemandem etwas vorübergehend überlassen, damit die Person es benutzen kann und es später zurückgibt.

Word origin

Leihen is a native Germanic verb whose historical forms include Old High German līhan and Middle High German leihen, linking it with English lend.

Usage tips

  • The construction jemandem etwas leihen means lend something to someone, while etwas von jemandem leihen means borrow something from someone.

Other meanings

  • borrowverb

Opposites

Related words

  • die Leiheloannoun
  • die Leihgebührrental feenoun
  • der Leihwagenrental carnoun

Word lists with this word