das  Lied

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/liːt/

🎶 What exactly is a Lied?

The German word das Lied (noun, neuter) primarily refers to a sung piece of music with lyrics. It can also mean a poem or a ballad, especially if it is intended or was traditionally meant to be sung.

• Main Meaning: A vocal piece, usually with instrumental accompaniment, combining melody and text (a song).
• Other Meaning: A lyrical poem, often structured in stanzas, suitable for setting to music or traditionally sung (e.g., Volkslied - folk song).

It always takes the article das.

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Das Lied

The word "Lied" is neuter and always uses the article "das". It belongs to the strong nouns.

Declension

Example Sentences

1. Wir haben im Chor ein neues Lied gelernt.
   (We learned a new song in the choir.)
2. Der Sänger präsentierte seine neuesten Lieder.
   (The singer presented his latest songs.)
3. Die Melodie des Liedes ist sehr eingängig.
   (The melody of the song is very catchy.)
4. Sie hörte den Liedern im Radio zu.
   (She listened to the songs on the radio.)

🎤 How to use "das Lied"?

"Das Lied" is a very common word in German, especially in the context of music and poetry.

• Everyday Life: People talk about Lieder on the radio, at concerts, when singing at home or school ("ein Lied singen" - to sing a song, "ein Lieblingslied haben" - to have a favorite song).
• In Music: Technical terms like Volkslied (folk song), Kunstlied (art song), Kirchenlied (hymn), Kinderlied (children's song), Liebeslied (love song) specify the type of song.
• In Literature: Sometimes "Lied" is used for poems that have a song-like structure (e.g., Schiller's "Das Lied von der Glocke" - The Song of the Bell).
• Idioms: "Das ist immer dasselbe Lied" (lit. "That's always the same song", meaning something repeats itself constantly, often annoyingly); "ein Lied davon singen können" (lit. "to be able to sing a song about it", meaning to be able to talk about something from personal, often painful, experience).

It's important not to confuse "das Lied" with "die Melodie" (the melody only) or "der Text" (the lyrics only). Das Lied comprises both.

💡 How to remember "das Lied"

For the Article: Think of things in art and music as neutral objects – das Bild (picture), das Gedicht (poem), das Instrument, and therefore, das Lied. Or imagine a neutral little child (das Kind) singing a song (das Lied).

For the Meaning: The word "Lied" sounds a bit like the English word "lead". The melody leads the singing, the lyrics lead the story. A song often leads our emotions.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Words for "Lied"

⚠️ Potential for Confusion

• Das Leid: (noun, neuter) Means sorrow, pain, grief. Sounds similar but has a completely different meaning!

😂 A little Joke about Lieder

German: Warum summen Bienen?

... Weil sie den Text vergessen haben! 😄

English: Why do bees hum?

... Because they don't know the words! 😄

✍️ A little Poem

German:
Ein Lied erklingt, so sanft und rein,
Fängt Herz und Seele spielend ein.
Mal laut, mal leis', mal froh, mal schwer,
Ein gutes Lied bewegt uns sehr.

English Translation:
A song resounds, so soft and pure,
Captures heart and soul, playful and sure.
Sometimes loud, sometimes low, happy or sore,
A good song moves us deeply, evermore.

❓ Riddle Time

German:
Ich habe Worte, doch kann nicht sprechen.
Ich habe Töne, doch kann nichts zerbrechen.
Man singt mich gern in froher Rund',
Mal traurig, mal gesund.

Was bin ich?

Lösung: Das Lied

English Translation:
I have words, but cannot speak.
I have tones, but cannot break anything sleek.
People like to sing me in happy rounds,
Sometimes sad, sometimes on healthy grounds.

What am I?

Solution: The song (Das Lied)

🌐 More Interesting Facts

• Etymology: The word "Lied" comes from the Old High German "liod", which originally could mean poetry, song, or even narrative. Interestingly, there's a (disputed) connection to the word "leiden" (to suffer) in the sense of something endured or experienced that is sung about.
• Compounds: There are countless compound words with "Lied", e.g., Liedermacher (singer-songwriter), Liederbuch (songbook), Liedtext (lyrics), Liedbegleitung (song accompaniment), Liedform (song form).
• Cultural Significance: Songs (Lieder) play a central role in all cultures, whether for entertainment, passing down stories, in religious ceremonies, or as an expression of feelings.