der  Lauf

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/laʊf/

🏃 What does "der Lauf" mean?

The noun der Lauf (masculine) has several meanings in German:

• Movement on foot: The most common meaning is running or jogging as a sporting activity or locomotion. Example: Der morgendliche Lauf tut gut. (The morning run feels good.)
• Course/Flow: It describes the progression or development of something over time. Often translated as course or passage. Example: Der Lauf der Dinge ist manchmal unvorhersehbar. (The course of things is sometimes unpredictable.)
• Weapon part: Der Lauf refers to the barrel of a firearm through which the projectile is propelled. Example: Der Lauf des Gewehrs muss gereinigt werden. (The barrel of the rifle needs to be cleaned.)
• Course of a river: The path or direction a river or stream takes. Example: Wir folgten dem Lauf des Baches. (We followed the course of the stream.)
• Leg (Animal): For certain animals, especially game, the legs are called Läufe. Example: Der Jäger untersuchte die Läufe des Rehs. (The hunter examined the legs of the deer.)

🚨 Attention: The meaning usually becomes clear from the context.

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Lauf

"Lauf" is a masculine noun. Here are the declension tables:

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

📝 Example Sentences

• (Movement) Nach einem langen Lauf war er erschöpft.
  (He was exhausted after a long run.)
• (Course/Passage) Im Laufe der Zeit ändern sich viele Dinge.
  (In the course of time, many things change.)
• (Weapon part) Der Polizist blickte in den Lauf der Pistole.
  (The police officer looked into the barrel of the pistol.)
• (River course) Der obere Lauf des Flusses ist sehr wild.
  (The upper course of the river is very wild.)

💡 How "der Lauf" is used

The usage of der Lauf heavily depends on the context:

• Sports & Leisure: When talking about jogging or running, der Lauf is the appropriate word (e.g., ein Zehn-Kilometer-Lauf - a ten-kilometer run). It can also refer to an organized race (e.g., Stadtlauf - city run).
• Temporal Progression: Phrases like im Laufe der Zeit (in the course of time) or der Lauf der Geschichte (the course of history) refer to the progression or development. Here, it's often used more abstractly.
• Technology & Weapons: In technical contexts, especially concerning firearms, der Lauf means the barrel.
• Nature & Geography: For rivers and streams, one speaks of the Oberlauf (upper course), Mittellauf (middle course), and Unterlauf (lower course).

Comparison:

• Das Rennen (the race): Usually refers to a competition where speed is important. Der Lauf can also be a leisurely jog.
• Der Gang (the walk/gait): Refers to locomotion by walking, not running.
• Der Verlauf (the course/progression): Similar to der Lauf (der Dinge), but often emphasizes the process or outcome of a development (e.g., Krankheitsverlauf - course of illness).

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Lauf"

For the article: Imagine a male runner: DER Läufer (the runner) goes for a Lauf (run). The person (der Läufer) is masculine, so der Lauf is also masculine.

For the meanings: Think of a long path or course: A runner covers a path (Lauf), a river follows its path (Flusslauf), time follows its path (Lauf der Zeit), and a bullet takes its path through the gun's Lauf (barrel).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for "der Lauf"

⚠️ Similar but different words

• Laufen (verb): The act of running itself, whereas der Lauf is the noun.
• Der Läufer: The person who runs.
• Der Verlauf: Often more specific for processes (e.g., Krankheitsverlauf - course of an illness).

😄 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Skelette nie an einem Lauf teil?

Weil sie nicht den nötigen Biss haben und ihnen die Puste ausgeht! 😉

(Why do skeletons never take part in a run? Because they don't have the necessary 'bite'/drive and they run out of breath!)

📜 Poem about Lauf

Der Morgen graut, die Schuhe an,
Ein neuer Lauf fängt wieder an.
Durch Wald und Feld, im eignen Takt,
Der Lauf der Zeit wird mitgemacht.

Mal schnell, mal sacht, der Atem geht,
Wie schnell die Zeit im Lauf vergeht.
Doch jeder Schritt, der fest und klar,
Macht Kopf und Herz so wunderbar.

(Dawn breaks, shoes are on,
A new run begins again.
Through forest and field, at one's own pace,
The course of time is kept apace.)

(Sometimes fast, sometimes slow, the breath does flow,
How quickly time in its course does go.
But every step, so firm and clear,
Makes head and heart wonderfully dear.)

🧩 A Riddle

Ich habe keinen Mund, doch man folgt meiner Spur durchs Land.
Ich habe keine Beine, doch ich eile von der Quelle bis zum Strand.
Ich kann ruhig sein oder wild,
Bin oft auf Karten abgebild'.

Was bin ich?

Lösung: Der Lauf (eines Flusses)

(I have no mouth, but my track is followed through the land.
I have no legs, yet I hurry from the source to the strand.
I can be calm or wild,
Am often depicted on maps compiled.)

(What am I?)

(Answer: Der Lauf (the course of a river))

🌐 Other Information

Word Compounds: "Lauf" is part of many German words:

• Lebenslauf: Curriculum Vitae (CV) - literally 'course of life'
• Waffenlauf: Barrel of a gun
• Laufbahn: Career path
• Laufsteg: Catwalk (fashion) - literally 'walking bridge'
• Leerlauf: Idling (engine); also inactivity
• Kreislauf: Circulation (e.g., Blutkreislauf - blood circulation) - literally 'circle run'

Idioms:

• Den Dingen ihren Lauf lassen: To let things run their course.
• Auf dem Laufenden sein/bleiben: To be/stay up-to-date or informed. (Literally: 'to be on the running')