leer
/leːɐ̯/
The English word empty can be translated into German as leer. Wiktionary also lists inhaltslos.
Meaning: devoid of content (adj)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| leer | /leːɐ̯/ |
| inhaltslos | /ˈɪnhalt͡sˌloːs/ |
In German, the word you choose depends on whether you are describing a physical void or a lack of meaning.
Which one should you use?
Use leer when referring to physical emptiness, such as a container or a room. In contrast, use inhaltslos when referring to something abstract that lacks substance or meaning, such as a speech or a text.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as an adjective before a noun, leer changes its ending. It takes the ending -e before a feminine singular noun in the nominative case, such as in die leere Flasche and the ending -es before a neuter singular noun in the nominative case, such as in ein leeres Glas.
How do you pronounce it?
/leːɐ̯/
Did you know?
- The English word 'leer', meaning to look with a sideways glance, is a distant relative of the German word leer.
- The term Leerlauf refers to an engine idling, literally meaning 'empty run'.
- The phrase leer reden literally means 'to talk empty' and is used to describe someone who is rambling without saying anything of substance.
Examples in context
- Es ist fast leer.It's almost empty.This sentence is useful for describing how much of a space is occupied using leer.Tatoeba #10000646 by wolfgangth, translation #2249025 by CK
- Das Glas ist leer.The glass is empty.This sentence is useful for stating that a container like a glass is empty using leer.Tatoeba #2435143 by al_ex_an_der, translation #2423572 by CM
- Der Park ist leer.The park is empty.This sentence is useful for describing an empty outdoor area using leer.Tatoeba #4510770 by Esperantostern, translation #8471235 by Rawrren
- Mein Glas ist leer.My glass is empty.
- Die Straße war leer.The street was empty.
- Ich habe den Behälter entleert.I emptied the container.
- Das Schwimmbad wird gerade entleert.The swimming pool is being emptied right now.
- Die Schublade ist leer wie eine Wüste.The drawer is empty like a desert.
- Das Büro war so leer wie ein verlassenes Haus.The office was as empty as an abandoned house.
- Die Flasche ist leer.The bottle is empty.
- Die Teller sind leer.The plates are empty.
- 319 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felix and Hannah are in the kitchen looking for food.
- FelixDer Kühlschrank ist komplett leer.The refrigerator is completely empty.
- HannahOh nein, wir müssen einkaufen gehen.Oh no, we have to go shopping.
- FelixHast du noch etwas Milch?Do you still have some milk?
- HannahNein, die Packung ist auch leer.No, the carton is also empty.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “empty” translations and entries leer, inhaltslos, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries inhaltslos, leer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
