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

Die Kinder haben im Park gespielt.

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In the case of 'spielen' which is an action verb, we typically use 'haben' as an auxiliary verb when forming the past tense. Thus, 'Die Kinder haben im Park gespielt' (The children played in the park) is the correct sentence. 'Sein' is usually used with verbs that depict movement or state change, which is not the case with 'spielen'. Understanding the appropriate usage of 'haben' and 'sein' forms a fundamental part mastering past tense in the German language.
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Intermediate

Which preposition correctly pairs with the verb "liegen" in this sentence?

Das Buch liegt auf dem Tisch

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The correct preposition to use with "liegen" is "auf", making the expression "liegen auf". The sentence "Das Buch liegt auf dem Tisch" means "The book is on the table". Did you know? Prepositions in German can change the case of the noun that follows them. In the case of "liegen auf", the preposition "auf" requires the noun to be in the dative case.
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Beginner

Conjugate the modal verb "sollen" to fit the sentence

Du sollst deine Hausaufgaben machen.

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The correct form for 'sollen' in the second person singular is 'sollst'. The full sentence translates to "You should do your homework".
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Beginner

What is the correct form of the definite article "the" in the dative case for a Feminine noun.

Ich helfe der Frau

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In German, the dative case form of the feminine article "die" is "der." For example, in the sentence "Ich helfe der Frau," which translates to "I help the woman" in English, the word "Frau" (woman) is in the dative case as the indirect object of the verb "helfen" (to help), so the article changes from "die" to "der."
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Beginner

What is the correct form of the definite article "the" in the genitive case for the neuter noun "Haus" (house)?

Die Farbe des Hauses ist rot.

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The correct definite article for neuter nouns in the genitive case is "des." Hence, the sentence should be "Die Farbe des Hauses ist rot," which means "The color of the house is red" in English.
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Beginner

What is the right form of the definite article "the" in the genitive case for a Masculine noun?

Das Buch des Mannes ist sehr interessant.

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The appropriate definite article for masculine nouns in the genitive case is "des." Hence, the sentence should be "Das Buch des Mannes ist sehr interessant," which in English means "The man's book is very interesting."
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Beginner

What is the correct form of the definite article "the" in the genitive case for a Neuter noun?

Wegen des Wetters bleiben wir zu Hause

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The phrase indicates possession, using the genitive case. The correct definite article for neuter nouns in the genitive case is "des." Hence, the sentence should be "Wegen des Wetters bleiben wir zu Hause," which means "Because of the weather, we are staying at home" in English.
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Intermediate

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the personal pronoun 'mein' in the genitive case.

Der Hund meines Nachbarn ist sehr freundlich

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The genitive case form of the possessive pronoun 'mein' (my) corresponding to a masculine or neuter noun is 'meines'. In the sentence 'Der Hund meines Nachbarn ist sehr freundlich', 'meines' is used to show possession, indicating that the neighbor is the owner of the dog. 'Mein' changes to 'meines' in the genitive case to express this possession.
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Beginner

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the definite article "the" in the nominative case for a Neuter noun.

Das Kind spielt

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The word "Kind" is a neuter noun. In German, "Kind" is "das Kind" in the nominative case, as it is the subject of the sentence. The correct sentence is "Das Kind spielt," which translates to "The child plays" in English.
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Intermediate

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

Ich habe einen Kuchen gebacken.

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'Backen' is a transitive action verb, hence it requires 'haben' to form the perfect past tense. So, the correct sentence is 'Ich habe einen Kuchen gebacken', which means 'I baked a cake'. 'Sein' is typically used with intransitive verbs which involve a change in state or movement, which is not the case with 'backen'. Understanding the differential usage of 'haben' and 'sein' is crucial to forming accurate sentences in German.
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