Leben
/ˈleːbən/neuter
The English word "life" is translated into German as Leben. Wiktionary also lists Läbe.
Meaning: the state of being alive (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Leben | /ˈleːbən/ | neuter |
| Läbe | Alemannic German, neuter |
Leben refers to the state of being alive. You may also encounter the related term Lebendig, which means lively or vibrant or Die Lebensweise, which refers to the concept of lifestyle.
Which one should you use?
In German, the capitalized noun Leben (life) is distinct from the lowercase verb leben (to live).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Alemannic German dialects, such as those spoken in parts of Switzerland or Southwestern Germany, the form Läbe is used instead of Leben.
How does it change in a sentence?
Leben is a neuter noun and is typically used with the definite article das, as in das Leben (the life).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈleːbən/
Did you know?
- German has a word Lebenslauf which translates to 'life run'. While it literally means the course of one's life, it is the standard word for a professional resume or CV.
- The German word Leben is a direct cognate of the English word 'live'. They both descend from the Proto-Indo-European root *leyp-, which meant 'leave', 'cling' or 'linger'.
- The term Lebensabend literally translates to 'life's evening'. It is a poetic way to refer to old age or the final stage of a person's life.
Examples in context
- So ist das Leben.That's life.This example shows how to use Leben in the idiomatic phrase 'That's life.'Tatoeba #581484 by jakov, translation #515472 by CK
- Dank an das Leben.Thanks to life.This example demonstrates the use of Leben when giving thanks to life.Tatoeba #2096243 by Espi, translation #2096234 by marcelostockle
- Das Leben war gut.Life was good.This example illustrates using Leben to describe the quality of life in the past.Tatoeba #11502741 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #7075665 by Hybrid
- Das Leben ist voller ÜberraschungenLife is full of surprises
- Das Dasein ist dazu da, gelebt zu werdenLife is meant to be lived
- So ist das Leben!That's life!
- Jeder hat seine eigene LebensweiseEveryone has their own lifestyle
- Lass uns das Dasein genießenLet's enjoy life
- 2534 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are sitting in a park and talking about their daily routines.
- JulianWie findest du das Leben hier?How do you find life here?
- SarahDas Leben ist hier sehr entspannt.Life is very relaxed here.
- JulianDas freut mich für dich, Sarah.I am happy for you, Sarah.
- SarahDanke, Julian, es ist wirklich schön.Thanks, Julian, it is really beautiful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “life” translations and entries Leben, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Leben, leben, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
