legen
/ˈleːɡən/
The English phrase 'lay' is translated into German as legen.
legen means to place something down in a position of rest. It is used in the specific biological sense for animals that lay eggs, such as in the phrase Eier legen. Other related German terms include Platzieren, which is used when placing objects carefully, emphasizing order or aesthetics and the formal Niederlegen, which is often employed in legal or bureaucratic contexts to indicate depositing or submitting something formally.
Meaning: to place something down in a position of rest (verb)
Which one should you use?
German distinguishes between legen (to lay/place horizontally) and stellen (to set/place vertically).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The simple past form of legen is legte. The past participle is gelegt. To form the perfect tense, use gelegt hat.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈleːɡən/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often confuse legen (to lay/place) with liegen (to lie/be located), which describes a state rather than an action.
Did you know?
- The German word Ablegen means to 'lay off' or 'discard', but it is also the standard way to say you are 'taking' an exam.
- The German word belegen means 'to lay' in a sense, but it is most commonly used to mean 'to prove' or 'to provide evidence' in an academic or legal context.
- While English uses 'lay' for eggs, a German speaker might use the reflexive sich legen to mean 'to lie down' or 'to go to bed', even though it involves an active movement.
Examples in context
- Die Vögel legen Eier.Birds lay eggs.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use legen in a biological context.Tatoeba #792832 by Esperantostern, translation #278220 by CK
- Legen Sie es auf den Tisch!Lay it on the table.Tatoeba #2058834 by Tamy, translation #41889 by CK
- Legen Sie das für mich zurück.Lay this aside for me.Tatoeba #5280094 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2453024 by sharptoothed
- Bitte lege das Buch auf den TischPlease lay the book on the table
- Kannst du dich auf die Couch hinlegen?Can you lay down on the couch?
- Ich werde mein Baby ins Bett hinlegenI will lay my baby in the bed
- Er hat die Vasen auf dem Regal platziertHe has laid the vases on the shelf
- Bitte legen Sie Ihre Jacke auf den Stuhl abPlease lay your jacket on the chair
- Lege den Stift auf den TischLay the pen on the table
- 26 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felix and Julia are organizing their living room.
- FelixWo soll ich die Zeitung legen?Where should I lay the newspaper?
- JuliaBitte legen Sie sie auf das Regal.Please lay it on the shelf.
- FelixSoll ich das Buch auch dort legen?Should I lay the book there too?
- JuliaJa, Felix, legen Sie es einfach daneben.Yes, Felix, just lay it next to it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lay” translations and entries legen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
