Translation of German word "laufen" to English
laufen
/ˈlaʊ̯fn̩/
Meaning
VerbTo move swiftly. To move forward quickly upon two feet by alternately making a short jump off either foot.
How to use
The strong verb laufen ('to run / walk / go / function') changes its vowel in present: ich laufe, du läufst, er läuft. Past forms: lief, ist gelaufen. Note: while it literally means 'to run', in everyday spoken German it is very frequently used to mean simply 'to walk / go on foot' (Wir können laufen — We can walk/go on foot).
🇬🇧 English
to run
Example
Lauf, und vielleicht erwischst du noch den Zug!
Run and maybe you'll catch the train!
Ich bin durch das ganze Gebäude gerannt und habe nach ihm gesucht.
I ran all over the building looking for him.
Your personal vocabulary
🦊 Use this word in a live AI conversationCommon phrases
- zu Fuß laufen— to go on foot / walk
- Schlittschuh laufen— to ice skate / skate
- Wie läuft es?— How is it going? / How's it running? (idiom)
This concept in other languages
📖 Related grammar
🦊 Conjugation of the verb "laufen"Full conjugation →
Present Tense (Präsens)
Simple Past (Präteritum)
Perfect (Perfekt)
ich bin gelaufen
Imperative (Imperativ)
Frequency rank: #187 in German
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the definition of the German word "laufen"?▼
The German word "laufen" is defined as: "To move swiftly. To move forward quickly upon two feet by alternately making a short jump off either foot."
What does the German word "laufen" mean?▼
The German word "laufen" means "to run" in English.
How do you pronounce the German word "laufen"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "laufen" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "laufen"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Lauf, und vielleicht erwischst du noch den Zug!" (which translates as "Run and maybe you'll catch the train!").
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