der  Laster

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈlastɐ/

🕵️ What does "der Laster" mean?

The German word der Laster has two main meanings, which are quite different:

1. Vice / Bad Habit: A bad habit, morally reprehensible behavior, or an addiction. It refers to a character flaw or sinful behavior. Example: Sein größtes Laster ist das Rauchen. (His biggest vice is smoking.)
2. Truck / Lorry: A large vehicle for transporting goods, often used synonymously with LKW (which is the abbreviation for Lastkraftwagen). Example: Der Laster blockierte die ganze Straße. (The truck blocked the entire street.)

🚨 Attention: Context is crucial to understand the correct meaning!

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Declension of "der Laster"

"Laster" is a masculine noun and is declined as follows:

Example Sentences for Illustration

• (Vice): Jeder Mensch hat wohl irgendein kleines Laster. (Everyone probably has some small vice.)
• (Vice): Er kämpfte jahrelang gegen sein Laster an. (He fought against his vice for years.)
• (Truck): Der Fahrer des Lasters machte eine Pause. (The driver of the truck took a break.)
• (Truck): Viele Laster fahren nachts auf der Autobahn. (Many trucks drive on the highway at night.)

🌐 How is "der Laster" used?

Usage depends heavily on the meaning:

• As a vice: Often used in moral, ethical, or psychological contexts. It describes negative habits like smoking, gambling, overeating, laziness, etc. It's stronger than just a 'bad habit' (schlechte Angewohnheit) and can imply addiction (Sucht). It's often more personal than 'sin' (Sünde), which has more religious connotations.
• As a truck: Used in everyday language for lorries, especially when talking about large transport vehicles. The abbreviation 'LKW' (pronounced El-Kah-Veh) is also very common, often even more frequent in technical or official contexts. 'Laster' sounds a bit more colloquial.

⚠️ There's little risk of confusion, as the context is usually clear (moral discussion vs. road traffic).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

For the article: Think of a man (der Mann) who either has a vice (Laster) or drives a heavy truck (Laster). -> der Laster.

For the meanings: The word 'Last' (load, burden) is inside 'Laster'. A vice is a moral burden (Last) you carry. A truck carries heavy loads (Lasten). This can help remember both meanings.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

Similar but Confusing Words

• die Last: Means burden, load, weight. It's the root of 'Laster', but a separate word with a different gender (feminine).

😂 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen LKW-Fahrer immer eine Leiter mit?

Damit sie auf die hohen Preise an der Tankstelle klettern können! 😉

--- Translation ---

Why do truck drivers always carry a ladder?

So they can climb up to the high prices at the gas station! 😉

📜 A Little Poem

Ein Laster rollt schwer durch die Nacht,
Mit Gütern und Fracht wohlbedacht.
Ein andres Laster, leis' und klein,
Nistet sich tief im Herzen ein.
Das eine trägt Stahl, das andre Leid,
Zwei Welten in einem Wort vereint.

--- Translation ---

A truck rolls heavy through the night,
With goods and freight, considered right.
Another vice, quiet and small,
Nests deep within the heart's recall.
One carries steel, the other pain,
Two worlds united in one name.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich trage schwere Lasten auf der Straß',
Und bin doch auch ein Grund für Kummer, ohne Maß.
Man will mich überwinden, oder fährt mich weit,
Was bin ich, in meiner Doppeldeutigkeit?

--- Translation ---

I carry heavy loads upon the street,
And yet I'm also cause for sorrow, bittersweet.
People want to overcome me, or drive me far away,
What am I, in my ambiguous way?

Solution: der Laster

✨ Other Information

• Abbreviation: For the meaning 'truck', the abbreviation LKW is extremely common. People often say "Ich sehe einen LKW" (I see an LKW) rather than "Ich sehe einen Laster".
• Etymology: The word 'Laster' meaning vice comes from Old High German 'lastar' (disgrace, blame) and is related to 'Last' (burden). The meaning 'truck' emerged later as a shortening of 'Last(kraft)wagen' (load motor vehicle).