die  Lektüre

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/lɛkˈtyːʁə/

📖 What does 'Lektüre' mean?

The German noun die Lektüre (feminine) primarily means two things:

• Reading material: The stuff you read, like books, magazines, articles, scientific papers, etc. It often implies more sophisticated or educational material (anspruchsvolles Material), but can also refer to entertainment literature (Unterhaltungsliteratur). Example: "Ich habe mir interessante Lektüre für den Urlaub besorgt." (I got myself some interesting reading material for the vacation.)
• The act of reading: The process of reading itself, especially when referring to thorough or studious reading. Example: "Die Lektüre dieses Berichts hat mehrere Stunden gedauert." (The reading of this report took several hours.)

⚠️ The word always takes the article die because it's a feminine noun. You can often recognize feminine nouns ending in -üre (like die Broschüre - brochure).

Article rules for der, die, and das

Decoding the Grammar of 'Lektüre' 📚

The noun "Lektüre" is feminine, so its article is die. Here are the declension tables:

Singular Declension

Plural Declension

The plural of "Lektüre" is "Lektüren".

Example Sentences

1. Die abendliche Lektüre entspannt mich sehr.
   (The evening reading relaxes me a lot.) - Nominative Singular, referring to the act
2. Der Inhalt der Lektüre war sehr anspruchsvoll.
   (The content of the reading material was very demanding.) - Genitive Singular, referring to the material
3. Ich widme mich nun der Lektüre des neuen Romans.
   (I will now dedicate myself to reading the new novel.) - Dative Singular, referring to the act
4. Hast du dir schon eine Lektüre für die Zugfahrt ausgesucht?
   (Have you already chosen some reading material for the train journey?) - Accusative Singular, referring to the material
5. Die empfohlenen Lektüren für das Seminar sind online verfügbar.
   (The recommended readings for the seminar are available online.) - Nominative Plural

✍️ Using 'Lektüre' Correctly

"Lektüre" is often used in contexts related to education (Bildung), leisure (Freizeit), and information.

• As reading material: People often talk about "interessante Lektüre" (interesting reading), "leichte Lektüre" (light reading/entertainment), "schwere Lektüre" (heavy/demanding reading), or "Pflichtlektüre" (required reading, e.g., for school or university). It often sounds a bit more formal or elevated than just "Buch" (book) or "Text". Example: "Diese Zeitschrift ist eine gute Lektüre für zwischendurch." (This magazine is good reading material for in between.)
• As the act of reading: In this sense, it often emphasizes focused or prolonged reading. Example: "Nach der Lektüre des Vertrags waren noch Fragen offen." (After reading the contract, there were still open questions.)

Comparison with "Lesen": "Das Lesen" is the general gerund for 'reading'. "Die Lektüre" can refer more specifically to the content being read or a particular act of reading, often with a connotation of purpose or enjoyment.

Common Collocations:

• zur Lektüre empfehlen (to recommend for reading)
• sich in Lektüre vertiefen (to immerse oneself in reading)
• eine anregende Lektüre (stimulating reading material)

💡 Memory Aids for 'Lektüre'

Article Mnemonic: Many German nouns ending in -üre are feminine (die): die Broschüre (brochure), die Maniküre (manicure)... and die Lektüre. Picture a lady (feminine 'die') reading a brochure – that's ihre Lektüre (her reading material).

Meaning Mnemonic: "Lektüre" sounds a bit like the English word "lecture". You often have required reading (Lektüre) for a lecture. Imagine preparing for a lecture by doing the necessary Lektüre.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar Sounding Words (Beware!)

• Lektion: Means 'lesson' (in class) or 'lesson' (learned from experience). Not directly related to reading material, despite the similar sound.
• Lektorat: The work of a Lektor (editor/proofreader), i.e., editing and proofreading texts.

😂 A Little Reading Joke

German: Fragt der Lehrer: "Fritzchen, warum hast du deine Pflichtlektüre nicht gelesen?" Fritzchen: "Herr Lehrer, ich dachte, Lesen bei schlechtem Licht schadet den Augen! Und im Bücherregal war es ziemlich dunkel."

English Translation: The teacher asks: "Fritzchen, why haven't you read your required reading?" Fritzchen: "Sir, I thought reading in bad light damages the eyes! And it was quite dark on the bookshelf."

📜 Poem about 'Lektüre'

German:
Ein stiller Abend, sanftes Licht,
Ein Buch geöffnet, welch Gesicht
Zeigt sich in Zeilen, Wort für Wort?
Die Lektüre trägt mich fort.

Mal spannend, mal voll Heiterkeit,
Vertreibt sie Sorgen, Raum und Zeit.
Ob Krimi, Romanze, tiefes Wissen,
Ich will die gute Lektüre nicht missen.

English Translation:
A quiet evening, gentle light,
A book lies open, what a sight
Appears in lines, in word by word?
The reading takes me far abroad.

Sometimes thrilling, sometimes bright,
It chases worries, space, and time from sight.
Be it thriller, romance, knowledge deep,
Good reading's promises I want to keep.

❓ Riddle

German:
Ich bin Papier, doch spreche viel,
Mal bin ich Arbeit, mal nur Spiel.
Man nimmt mich oft zur Hand zur späten Stund',
Tu Wissen oder Freude kund.
Mal leicht, mal schwer, mal Pflicht für dich.
Was bin ich wohl? Na klar, für mich Ist die Antwort sonnenklar:
Ich bin ...?

Lösung: die Lektüre

English Translation:
I'm paper, yet I speak a lot,
Sometimes I'm work, sometimes just plot.
Often taken in hand when day is done,
I bring forth knowledge or maybe fun.
Sometimes light, sometimes heavy, sometimes required for you.
What am I? For me, it's true,
The answer's bright and clear:
I am ...?

Solution: die Lektüre (reading / reading material)

🧐 Other Interesting Facts

• Etymology: The word "Lektüre" comes from the Latin lectura, meaning "the reading" or "that which is read". So, its connection to the act of reading is deeply rooted.
• Compound Nouns (Wortzusammensetzungen): "Lektüre" is often used in compound words in German, e.g., Urlaubslektüre (vacation reading), Bettlektüre (bedtime reading), Fachlektüre (specialist/professional reading), Pflichtlektüre (required reading).