Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Gehen | [ˈɡeːən] (narrow) | neuter |
| Wandern | /ˈvandɐn/ | neuter |
| Spazierengehen | [ʃpaˈt͡siːʁən ˌɡeːən] (narrow) | neuter |
| Laufen | /ˈlaʊ̯fn̩/ | colloquial, neuter |
| Gang | /ɡaŋ/ /ɡɛŋ/ |
masculine |
To describe walking as a method of transportation, such as 'walking to work', Germans frequently use the phrase zu Fuß gehen. For a relaxed or unhurried pace, the word schlendern can be used. Other related terms include Der Spaziergang (the walk or stroll), Die Wanderung (the hike), Die Gehstrecke (the walking distance) and Der Fußgänger (the pedestrian).
Which one should you use?
While Gehen is the standard term for the act of walking, Laufen is often used colloquially in many German dialects to mean walking, even though its literal meaning is 'to run'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Laufen is considered colloquial.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many German dialects, Laufen is used colloquially to mean walking.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the verb gehen as a noun to form the gerund (the act of walking), it is written as das Gehen. In this form, it must be capitalized and takes the neuter gender.
When do people say it?
In German, the expression Er hat zwei linke Füße. literally translates to 'He has two left feet', which is used idiomatically to describe someone who is a clumsy walker.
Did you know?
- In some contexts, gehen is used to describe the functioning of a machine or a process, such as saying a clock is 'walking' when it is working.
- In the word gehen, the letter h was added to the spelling later to make it look more like the word sehen.
- While wandern is often translated as 'hiking', it is a core cultural activity in Germany with its own dedicated clubs and traditional gear.
Examples in context
- Wir gehen zu Fuß.We're walking.This sentence is useful for expressing that you are traveling by foot using Gehen.Tatoeba #10504582 by wolfgangth, translation #10492397 by shekitten
- Sie gehen zum Arzt.They're walking to the doctor's.This sentence shows how to use Gehen to indicate a destination.Tatoeba #8320708 by MisterTrouser, translation #13013080 by rul
- Wir gehen zur Schule.We're walking to school.Tatoeba #8320385 by MisterTrouser, translation #13249466 by rul
- Er geht gerne spazieren.He enjoys walking.
- 90 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Felix are discussing their health habits.
- SarahIch finde, Gehen ist sehr gesund.I think walking is very healthy.
- FelixDas stimmt, ich mache es täglich.That's true, I do it daily.
- SarahMöchtest du morgen mit mir gehen?Would you like to walk with me tomorrow?
- FelixJa, das Gehen entspannt mich immer.Yes, walking always relaxes me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “walking” translations and entries Gehen, Wandern, Spazierengehen, Laufen, Gang, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Pronunciation from the Wiktionary entry wandern.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gehen, laufen, wandern, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
