Bücher lesen
/ˈbyːçɐ ˈleːzn̩/word by word
The English phrase "reading books" is expressed in German as Bücher lesen.
Bücher lesen is used to describe the activity of reading printed or written texts in books. For a more general sense of the activity, you can simply use Lesen.
What does it mean word for word?
Bücher lesen is composed of the plural noun Bücher (books) and the infinitive verb lesen (to read).
Which one should you use?
You might use Bücher schmökern if you specifically mean browsing through books.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can express the activity as a single noun by nominalizing the verb and adding the neuter article to create das Bücherlesen. If you are using the phrase within an infinitive clause, such as "It is good to read books," you should place zu before the verb to get Bücher zu lesen.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbyːçɐ ˈleːzn̩/
Did you know?
- Because of its Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to gather', lesen is a distant relative of the English word 'lease', which originally referred to the act of letting or gathering goods.
- Germany has a unique cultural tradition called Lesegesellschaften or reading societies. These were private clubs where members shared books before public libraries became common.
- A person who reads excessively or is obsessed with books is sometimes jokingly called a Bücherwurm or 'bookworm'. This mirrors the English idiom but is used very frequently in casual German conversation.
Examples in context
- Bücher lesen ist interessant.Reading books is interesting.This sentence shows how to use Bücher lesen to describe an interest.Tatoeba #580515 by jakov, translation #577830 by CK
- Bücher lesen wird euch schlauer machen.Reading books will make you smarter.This sentence uses Bücher lesen to describe a benefit of the activity.Tatoeba #1800554 by Tamy, translation #1795442 by Spamster
- Bücher lesen macht mir Freude.I enjoy reading books.This sentence uses Bücher lesen to express personal enjoyment.Tatoeba #3854325 by raggione, translation #2873230 by MASSfisher
- Ich genieße das Lesen von Büchern, weil es meine Fantasie anregt.I enjoy reading books because it stimulates my imagination.
- Er hat eine Vorliebe für die Lektüre von Büchern aus dem 17. Jahrhundert.He has a preference for reading books from the 17th century.
- Ist Bücher lesen dein Hobby?Is reading books your hobby?
Example conversation
Hannah and Maximilian are talking about their hobbies.
- HannahWas machst du gerne in deiner Freizeit?What do you like to do in your free time?
- MaximilianIch liebe es, Bücher lesen zu können.I love being able to read books.
- HannahIch finde Bücher lesen auch sehr entspannend.I also find reading books very relaxing.
- MaximilianDas stimmt, es ist ein tolles Hobby.That's true, it is a great hobby.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (Bücher, lesen) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lesen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
