'Lesen' Definition

What is the meaning of the German word 'Lesen'?

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The word 'Lesen' is a German word that can mean 'Read' in English. You can find example sentences below to help you understand how to use the word in context.

Definition of 'Lesen' in English

Lesen - To read

verb

The verb 'lesen' means 'to read' in German. It is commonly used to refer to the action of reading text or literature.

Example Sentences:

  • Er öffnet das Buch und beginnt die komplizierten Texte zu lesen. - He opens the book and starts reading the complicated texts.

💡 Silly memory trick! To remember 'lesen,' think of the 'L' as opening a book and 'esen' as 'eyes.' So, 'lesen' can be associated with opening your eyes to read.

German Challenges

Intermediate

Which word best completes the sentence to mean 'little'?

Er hat nur wenig Geld in seiner Tasche.

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In this context, 'wenig' is used as a pronoun that means 'little' in English. The word 'wenig' does not change based on declination in this context. When used with countable objects in a negative context, 'wenig' typically indicates a smaller than expected quantity. The other options are grammatically incorrect declinations of 'wenig' and do not fit in this particular sentence.
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Beginner

Conjugate the modal verb "können" to fit the sentence below

Können wir zusammen essen gehen?

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The correct form for 'können' in the first person plural for a suggestion is 'können'. The full translation is "Can we go to eat together?"
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Intermediate

Which preposition correctly pairs with the verb 'fahren' to mean 'to drive to'?

Er fährt zu seiner Arbeit

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The correct preposition to use with 'fahren' to convey the meaning of 'to drive to' is 'zu', forming the phrase 'fahren zu'. The sentence 'Er fährt zu seiner Arbeit' translates to 'He is driving to his work.' The other prepositions are not used to express the concept of driving to a place. Fun Fact: 'Fahren zu' requires the dative case, as it typically involves a direction or destination – the place being driven to.
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Intermediate

Which auxiliary verb correctly completes the sentence to fit the context given?

Mein Bruder ist gestern schwimmen gegangen.

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Since 'schwimmen' can imply motion when combined with 'gehen,' 'sein' is used as the auxiliary verb in 'Mein Bruder ist gestern schwimmen gegangen,' translating to 'My brother went swimming yesterday.' This usage of 'sein' is due to the motion indicated by 'gegangen.' Understanding when to use 'haben' or 'sein' with verbs like 'schwimmen' in different contexts is key for German fluency.
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Beginner

Conjugate the modal verb "müssen" to fit the sentence

Wir müssen früh aufstehen.

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The correct form for 'müssen' in the first person plural is 'müssen'. The full translation is "We have to (must) wake up early".
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Beginner

Fill in the blank with the correct form of the possessive pronoun 'mein' in the genitive case.

Das ist das Haus meiner Schwester.

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The genitive case form of the possessive pronoun 'mein' (my) corresponding to a feminine noun is 'meiner'. In the sentence, "Das ist das Haus meiner Schwester," the word 'meiner' is showcasing possession, translating to 'That is the house of my sister' in English.
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Intermediate

Which preposition correctly pairs with the verb 'hoffen' to mean 'to hope for'?

Er hofft auf einen Sieg

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The correct preposition to use with 'hoffen' to convey the meaning of 'to hope for' is 'auf', forming the phrase 'hoffen auf'. The sentence 'Er hofft auf einen Sieg' translates to 'He hopes for a victory.' The other prepositions cannot be used to express the concept of hoping for something. Fun Fact: 'Hoffen auf' requires the accusative case.
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Beginner

Which coordinating conjunction fits best in this sentence?

Es regnet, aber wir werden trotzdem spazieren gehen

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The coordinating conjunction that is used to show contrast is 'aber', which means 'but'. In this example "aber" introduces a contrasting statement to "Es regnet," showing an intention to act despite the rain.
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Intermediate

Which preposition correctly pairs with the verb "sprechen" to mean "to speak with"?

Er spricht mit seinem Vater

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The correct preposition to use with "sprechen" to convey the meaning of "to speak with" is "mit", making the expression "sprechen mit". The sentence "Er spricht mit seinem Vater" means "He is speaking with his father". The other prepositions are not suitable to express the act of speaking with someone.
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Beginner

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the personal pronoun 'er' in the accusative case.

Siehst du ihn da drüben?

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The accusative form of the personal pronoun 'er' (he) is 'ihn'. In the sentence "Siehst du ihn da drüben?" 'ihn' is used as the direct object, being the person seen (the one affected by the action of the verb). Here, the verb 'sehen' (to see) requires a direct object to complete its sense. 'Er' changes to 'ihn' in the accusative case to reflect this role.
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