Translation of German word "legen" to English
legen
/ˈleːɡn̩/
Meaning
VerbTo place down in a position of rest, or in a horizontal position.
How to use
The weak verb legen ('to lay / put flat / place horizontally') is transitive and expresses movement/direction, requiring the accusative case (answers 'where to?' / wohin?, e.g., Ich lege das Buch auf den Tisch — I lay the book on the table). Conjugation: legt, legte, hat gelegt. It is contrasted with the static intransitive verb liegen ('to lie/be situated horizontally', requires dative, e.g., Das Buch liegt auf dem Tisch). The reflexive sich legen means 'to lie down / subside'.
🇬🇧 English
to lay
Example
Legen Sie den Mantel auf den Stuhl.
Put the coat on the chair.
ein Buch auf den Tisch legen; einen Leichnam ins Grab legen
put a book on the table; to put a corpse in the grave
Your personal vocabulary
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Common phrases
- sich ins Bett legen— to lie down in bed / go to bed (requires reflexive)
- Wert legen auf— to value / attach importance to (requires preposition 'auf' + accusative)
- auf den Tisch legen— to lay / put on the table (accusative direction)
More Core Verbs words
📖 Related grammar
🦊 Conjugation of the verb "legen"Full conjugation →
Present Tense (Präsens)
Simple Past (Präteritum)
Perfect (Perfekt)
ich bin/ habe gelegt
Imperative (Imperativ)
Frequency rank: #199 in German
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the definition of the German word "legen"?▼
The German word "legen" is defined as: "To place down in a position of rest, or in a horizontal position."
What does the German word "legen" mean?▼
The German word "legen" means "to lay" in English.
How do you pronounce the German word "legen"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "legen" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "legen"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Legen Sie den Mantel auf den Stuhl." (which translates as "Put the coat on the chair.").
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