Table of Contents
Introduction
Learning a new language can be fun and tough. German with its many words and complex grammar is no exception. One of the most important verbs you’ll encounter on your German journey is “lesen”, which means “to read”. Understanding the conjugation of “lesen” is key to communication whether you’re reading books, newspapers or even social media posts in German. This post will go through the different conjugations of “lesen”, the tenses, idioms and regional variations. By the end you’ll know “German Lesen Conjugation” and how to use it in your conversations.
What is “Lesen”?
1: How do you say "Good Morning" in German?
“Lesen” is an irregular verb in German, used to express the action of reading. It’s a basic verb that comes up all the time in everyday conversation and written text. Being able to conjugate “lesen” correctly allows you to build sentences that describe actions in different contexts, so it’s an essential part of learning German.
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Start Learning GermanConjugation of “Lesen” in Present Tense
The present tense is one of the most used tenses in German, to describe actions that happen now or habits.
- Ich lese (I read)
- Du liest (You read – informal)
- Er/Sie/Es liest (He/She/It reads)
- Wir lesen (We read)
- Ihr lest (You read – plural informal)
- Sie/sie lesen (They/You read – formal)
Examples:
- Ich lese ein Buch. (I am reading a book.)
- Du liest die Zeitung. (You are reading the newspaper.)
- Wir lesen gerne Romane. (We like to read novels.)
Conjugation of “Lesen” in Simple Past (Präteritum)
The simple past tense, or Präteritum, is used in written German to describe actions that happened in the past.
- Ich las (I read)
- Du last (You read – informal)
- Er/Sie/Es las (He/She/It read)
- Wir lasen (We read)
- Ihr last (You read – plural informal)
- Sie/sie lasen (They/You read – formal)
Examples:
- Ich las ein interessantes Buch. (I read an interesting book.)
- Er las die Geschichte vor. (He read the story aloud.)
Conjugation of “Lesen” in Present Perfect (Perfekt)
The present perfect tense is used in spoken German to describe past actions. The conjugation of “lesen” in the present perfect involves the auxiliary verb “haben” and the past participle “gelesen”.
- Ich habe gelesen (I have read)
- Du hast gelesen (You read – informal)
- Er/Sie/Es hat gelesen (He/She/It has read)
- Wir haben gelesen (We have read)
- Ihr habt gelesen (You have read – plural informal)
- Sie/sie haben gelesen (They/You have read – formal)
Examples:
- Ich habe das Buch gelesen. (I have read the book.)
- Sie haben die Nachrichten gelesen. (They have read the news.)
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Start Learning GermanFuture tense of “Lesen”
The future tense is formed with the auxiliary verb “werden” and the infinitive of “lesen”.
- Ich werde lesen (I will read)
- Du wirst lesen (You will read)
- Er/Sie/Es wird lesen (He/She/It will read)
- Wir werden lesen (We will read)
- Ihr werdet lesen (You will read)
- Sie/sie werden lesen (They/You will read)
Examples:
- Ich werde morgen lesen. (I will read tomorrow.)
- Wir kaufen die Bücher. (We will buy the books.)
Conditional and Subjunctive of “Lesen”
Conditional (Konjunktiv II)
The conditional is used for hypothetical situations.
- Ich würde lesen (I would read)
- Du würdest lesen (You would read)
- Er/Sie/Es würde lesen (He/She/It would read)
- Wir würden lesen (We would read)
- Ihr würdet lesen (You would read)
- Sie/sie würden lesen (They/You would read)
Examples:
- Ich würde das Buch lesen, wenn ich Zeit hätte. (I would read the book if I had time.)
Subjunctive (Konjunktiv I)
The subjunctive is used in reported speech.
- Ich lese (I read)
- Du lesest (You read)
- Er/Sie/Es lese (He/She/It reads)
- Wir lesen (We read)
- Ihr lest (You read)
- Sie/sie lesen (They/You read)
Examples:
- Er sagt, dass ich das Buch lese. (He says that I read the book.)
Idioms with “Lesen”
- “von der Hand in den Mund leben” – someone who reads to survive.
- “Das steht in den Sternen” – used to say you don’t know what you’ll read in the future.
Regional differences in “Lesen” conjugation
While the conjugation of “lesen” is the same throughout the German speaking regions, there might be small differences in pronunciation or usage in different dialects. For example in some southern German dialects “lesen” is pronounced softer than in standard German. Idiomatic expressions with “lesen” might also differ in form or usage in different regions.
Practice Exercises
To test your understanding of “German Lesen Conjugation” try these exercises:
- Fill in the blanks with the correct conjugation of “lesen” in the present tense:
- Ich _______ ein Buch. (lesen)
- Er _______ die Zeitung. (lesen)
- Conjugate “lesen” in the simple past for the following sentences:
- Wir _______ einen Artikel. (lesen)
- Du _______ das Buch. (lesen)
- Turn the following sentences into the present perfect:
- Ich _______ (lesen) ein interessantes Buch.
- Sie _______ (lesen) die Nachrichten.
- Make sentences with “lesen” in the conditional:
- Ich _______ (lesen) das Buch, wenn ich Zeit hätte.
These exercises will help you practice the different forms of “lesen” and overall German.
Conclusion
Learning the conjugation of “lesen” is a big part of becoming fluent in German. By knowing the forms in different tenses you will be able to express yourself better and read more texts. Whether you read literature, news articles or social media posts, having “lesen” down will improve your comprehension and communication.
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With practice you’ll be reading German in no time. Happy learning!
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Start Learning GermanFrequently Asked Questions
How do you conjugate lesen in German?
The German verb lesen is irregular. In the present tense:
-
ich lese, du liest, er/sie/es liest, wir lesen, ihr lest, sie/Sie lesen.
In the simple past (Präteritum): -
ich las, du last, er/sie/es las, wir lasen, ihr last, sie/Sie lasen.
The past participle is gelesen (used with haben).
How can I improve German lesen?
To improve your German reading (Lesen) skills, start with simple texts and gradually move to complex ones. Read daily, explore varied content like books and articles, and focus on understanding context rather than translating word-for-word
What is the perfect tense of lesen in German?
The German verb lesen (to read) forms its perfect tense using haben as the auxiliary verb and gelesen as the past participle.
Conjugation examples:
-
Ich habe gelesen – I have read
-
Du hast gelesen – You have read
-
Er/Sie/Es hat gelesen – He/She/It has read
-
Wir haben gelesen – We have read
-
Ihr habt gelesen – You (plural) have read
-
Sie haben gelesen – They/You (formal) have read
How do you form the present perfect (Perfekt) tense with "lesen"?
The present perfect tense is formed using the auxiliary verb “haben” and the past participle “gelesen.” The conjugation is as follows:
- Ich habe gelesen (I have read)
- Du hast gelesen (You have read – informal)
- Er/Sie/Es hat gelesen (He/She/It has read)
- Wir haben gelesen (We have read)
- Ihr habt gelesen (You have read – plural informal)
- Sie/sie haben gelesen (They/You have read – formal)
This tense is commonly used in conversations to discuss past actions. For example, “Ich habe die Nachrichten gelesen.” (I have read the news.)
What is the future tense conjugation of "lesen," and how is it used in conversation?
In the future tense, “lesen” is conjugated with the auxiliary verb “werden” followed by the infinitive “lesen”:
- Ich werde lesen (I will read)
- Du wirst lesen (You will read – informal)
- Er/Sie/Es wird lesen (He/She/It will read)
- Wir werden lesen (We will read)
- Ihr werdet lesen (You will read – plural informal)
- Sie/sie werden lesen (They/You will read – formal)
This tense is used to indicate actions that will take place in the future. For example, you might say, “Ich werde morgen das Buch lesen.” (I will read the book tomorrow.)
Can you explain the conditional form (Konjunktiv II) of "lesen," and when it might be used?
The conditional form expresses hypothetical situations or possibilities. The conjugation of “lesen” in the conditional is as follows:
- Ich würde lesen (I would read)
- Du würdest lesen (You would read – informal)
- Er/Sie/Es würde lesen (He/She/It would read)
- Wir würden lesen (We would read)
- Ihr würdet lesen (You would read – plural informal)
- Sie/sie würden lesen (They/You would read – formal)
You would use this in sentences like “Ich würde das Buch lesen, wenn ich Zeit hätte.” (I would read the book if I had time.)
What are some common idiomatic expressions that include "lesen"?
Idiomatic expressions can add depth to your language skills. Here are a few expressions involving “lesen”:
- “Das steht in den Sternen.” (That’s written in the stars.) – Used to indicate uncertainty about future events.
- “Von der Hand in den Mund leben.” (To live from hand to mouth.) – This can be used to describe someone who reads just to survive.
Using idioms enriches your ability to communicate more naturally in German.
Are there any regional variations in the conjugation or usage of "lesen"?
While the basic conjugation of “lesen” remains consistent across German-speaking regions, there may be slight variations in pronunciation or usage in dialects. For example, in southern German dialects, the pronunciation of “lesen” may sound softer compared to standard German. Additionally, idiomatic expressions involving “lesen” can differ in form or usage depending on the region, reflecting local culture and speech patterns.
How can I practice conjugating "lesen" and other German verbs effectively?
Practicing verb conjugation can be done through various methods:
- Online Exercises: Use language learning platforms that offer interactive grammar exercises.
- Flashcards: Create flashcards with different forms of “lesen” and other common verbs to test your memory.
- Writing Practice: Write sentences or short paragraphs using different tenses of “lesen.”
- Speaking Practice: Engage in conversations using “lesen” in various tenses to reinforce your learning.
Consistent practice will help solidify your understanding and usage of the verb.
Where can I find more resources to learn German, including verb conjugation?
One excellent resource for learning German, including verb conjugation and comprehensive language skills, is the Entri German Language Course. This course offers structured lessons, expert guidance, and interactive exercises designed to enhance your understanding of German grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. Whether you are a beginner or looking to improve your skills, this course can provide the support you need. Check out the Entri German Language Course here!
