01
der Laden
shop / store
A shop or sales area where goods are offered and sold.
example
Ich muss noch schnell in den Laden, um Brot zu kaufen.
I still need to quickly go to the shop to buy bread.
der Laden
shop / outfit / shutter
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning of 'Laden' (shop / outfit / shutter) from context. If it is about shopping and goods, it means a shop. If it is about work and organization, it colloquially means a company. If it is about windows and darkness, it means a window shutter.
EXAMPLE
Ich gehe kurz in den Laden nebenan. (Geschäft)
I'm just going to the shop next door. (shop)
Movement and location
Pay attention to the case after the preposition 'in'. 'In den Laden gehen' (to go into the shop, accusative) describes movement toward a place, while 'im Laden sein' (to be in the shop, dative) describes being at that place.
EXAMPLE
Wir gehen in den Laden, um Milch zu kaufen.
We're going into the shop to buy milk.
Register: colloquial
Using 'Laden' (outfit/company) for a company or organization is colloquial. It can sound familiar, but also slightly disrespectful or critical, depending on the tone.
EXAMPLE
Was ist das denn für ein Laden? Hier funktioniert ja gar nichts!
What kind of outfit is this? Nothing works here!
Fixed expression
The expression 'den Laden schmeißen' (to run the show / run the whole outfit) is very common. It means that someone has sole responsibility for an organization or project and organizes everything.
EXAMPLE
Während der Chef im Urlaub ist, schmeißt die Sekretärin den Laden.
While the boss is on vacation, the secretary is running the whole outfit.
Regional usage
The meaning 'Fensterladen' (window shutter) is especially common in southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In other regions, the word is less common in this meaning.
EXAMPLE
Die alten Bauernhäuser hier haben noch bunte Läden aus Holz.
The old farmhouses here still have colorful wooden shutters.
Compare with
Laden vs Unternehmen
company / undertaking
'das Unternehmen' and 'der Laden' can both have to do with a business or company. 'Unternehmen' is neutral and works for both small and large companies. 'Laden' actually means a shop or sales area, that is, a place where you buy something. Colloquially, 'der Laden' can also mean a company or organization, often in a casual or slightly critical way. Learners may confuse the words because a shop can also be a small company. In formal situations, 'Unternehmen' is safer; 'Laden' fits better when you are talking about an everyday shop or speaking colloquially about a company.
Laden
Der kleine Laden an der Ecke verkauft frisches Brot und Käse.
The small shop on the corner sells fresh bread and cheese.
Unternehmen
Nach der Ausbildung möchte Lena in einem internationalen Unternehmen arbeiten.
After her training, Lena would like to work for an international company.
In real life
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