Singular

das

Lesen

Q: Is it der, die, or das Lesen?

It is das Lesen. In German, every noun has a grammatical gender, and Lesen is neuter. You should always learn the article together with the noun to ensure your German grammar is correct.

Q: What is the plural of das Lesen?

The noun Lesen is typically used in the singular form (Singularetantum) or has a plural form identical to the singular.

Q: What does das Lesen mean in English?

The German word das Lesen translates to “reading” in English.

Q: How do you decline das Lesen?

Like all German nouns, Lesen changes its article depending on the case. In the singular, the forms are: Nominativ: das Lesen Akkusativ: das Lesen Dativ: dem Lesen Genitiv: des Lesens These changes are necessary because German uses cases to indicate the noun’s role in a sentence (such as the subject or object). Knowing these forms allows you to build grammatically correct sentences.

reading

Strong

Why does the noun Lesen have the article das?

Nominalized infinitives (verbs used as nouns) are always neuter.

Examples

das Essen (eating/food), das Trinken (drinking), das Lesen (reading), das Schreiben (writing), das Leben (life), das Schwimmen (swimming)

Exceptions

No exceptions when truly nominalized

View all words for this rule

Declension table for German noun Lesen

How it changes across the four cases.

Case	Definite	Indefinite	Negative
Nominativ	das Lesen	ein Lesen	kein Lesen
Akkusativ	das Lesen	ein Lesen	kein Lesen
Dativ	dem Lesen	einem Lesen	keinem Lesen
Genitiv	des Lesens	eines Lesens	keines Lesens

Examples in context

Real sentences using Lesen in different cases.

Case	Definite	Indefinite	Negative
Nominativ	Das gute Lesen ist entspannend.The good reading is relaxing.	Ein neues Lesen hilft oft.New reading often helps.	Kein schnelles Lesen ist langweilig.No quick reading is boring.
Akkusativ	Ich liebe das spannende Lesen sehr.I love the exciting reading very much.	Er beginnt ein langes Lesen.He begins a long reading.	Sie mag kein schweres Lesen.She likes no difficult reading.
Dativ	Ich widme mich dem ruhigen Lesen.I dedicate myself to quiet reading.	Mit einem guten Lesen lernt man.With good reading, one learns.	Er hilft keinem schlechten Lesen.He helps no bad reading.
Genitiv	Der Reiz des guten Lesens ist groß.The charm of good reading is great.	Der Beginn eines neuen Lesens ist schön.The beginning of new reading is beautiful.	Die Freude keines leichten Lesens ist klein.The joy of no easy reading is small.

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Frequently asked questions

Everything you might wonder about der, die, das — and the Der Artikel app.

Is it der, die, or das Lesen?

It is das Lesen. In German, every noun has a grammatical gender, and Lesen is neuter. You should always learn the article together with the noun to ensure your German grammar is correct.

What is the plural of das Lesen?

The noun Lesen is typically used in the singular form (Singularetantum) or has a plural form identical to the singular.

What does das Lesen mean in English?

The German word das Lesen translates to “reading” in English.

How do you decline das Lesen?

Like all German nouns, Lesen changes its article depending on the case. In the singular, the forms are:

Nominativ: das Lesen
Akkusativ: das Lesen
Dativ: dem Lesen
Genitiv: des Lesens

These changes are necessary because German uses cases to indicate the noun’s role in a sentence (such as the subject or object). Knowing these forms allows you to build grammatically correct sentences.