laden
to load
To put something into a vehicle, container, or room so that it can be transported or stored there.
EXAMPLE
Die Arbeiter laden die Kisten in den Lastwagen.
The workers are loading the crates into the truck.
laden
to load
laden – lud – hat geladen
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
laden
to charge
To supply a battery or a battery-powered device with electrical energy.
EXAMPLE
Ich muss mein Handy noch laden.
I still need to charge my phone.
laden
to load
To transfer data, a program, or a file to a computer or another technical device and make it available for use.
EXAMPLE
Der Computer lädt die Datei sehr langsam.
The computer is loading the file very slowly.
laden
to load
To put ammunition into a firearm so that it is ready to fire.
EXAMPLE
Der Jäger lud sein Gewehr und ging ins Freie.
The hunter loaded his rifle and went outside.
laden
to invite
To invite someone to an event or for a particular occasion; this usage is usually elevated or old-fashioned.
EXAMPLE
Der Bürgermeister lud die Bürger zur Versammlung.
The mayor invited the citizens to the meeting.
laden
to summon
To officially require someone to appear in court or at a government office at a specific time.
EXAMPLE
Die Nachbarin wurde als Zeugin vor Gericht geladen.
The neighbor was summoned to court as a witness.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry laden, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Present
| ich | lade |
|---|---|
| du | lädst |
| er/sie/es | lädt |
| wir | laden |
| ihr | ladet |
| sie | laden |
Simple past
| ich | lud |
|---|---|
| du | ludest ludst |
| er/sie/es | lud |
| wir | luden |
| ihr | ludet |
| sie | luden |
Perfect
with haben
| ich | habe geladen |
|---|---|
| du | hast geladen |
| er/sie/es | hat geladen |
| wir | haben geladen |
| ihr | habt geladen |
| sie | haben geladen |
Commands
| du | lade! lad! |
|---|---|
| ihr | ladet! |
| Sie | laden Sie! |
Past perfect
| ich | hatte geladen |
|---|---|
| du | hattest geladen |
| er/sie/es | hatte geladen |
| wir | hatten geladen |
| ihr | hattet geladen |
| sie | hatten geladen |
Future
| ich | werde laden |
|---|---|
| du | wirst laden |
| er/sie/es | wird laden |
| wir | werden laden |
| ihr | werdet laden |
| sie | werden laden |
Subjunctive I
| ich | lade |
|---|---|
| du | ladest |
| er/sie/es | lade |
| wir | laden |
| ihr | ladet |
| sie | laden |
Used for reported speech.
Subjunctive II
| ich | lüde |
|---|---|
| du | lüdest |
| er/sie/es | lüde |
| wir | lüden |
| ihr | lüdet |
| sie | lüden |
Used for wishes and “would”.
Other forms
| infinitive | laden |
|---|---|
| with zu | zu laden |
| present participle | ladend |
| past participle | geladen |
Usage tips
Context clues
The meaning of „laden“ (to load / to charge / to invite / to summon) can usually be recognized from the object. Vehicles or containers indicate goods being transported, technical devices indicate energy or data, and weapons indicate ammunition. A person as the object together with „zu“ (to) and an occasion points to the elevated meaning of inviting someone.
EXAMPLE
Die Techniker laden neue Daten auf den Server.
The technicians are loading new data onto the server.
Vor dem Schießtraining lud sie die Pistole.
Before shooting practice, she loaded the pistol.
Accusative object
„Laden“ (to load / to charge / to invite / to summon) normally takes an accusative object: You load something, such as crates, a phone, data, or a weapon. With the meanings „einladen“ (to invite) and „vor Gericht bestellen“ (to summon to court), a person can also be the accusative object.
EXAMPLE
Lade die Seite einfach noch einmal neu.
Just reload the page once more.
Das Gericht hat zwei Zeugen für Dienstag geladen.
The court summoned two witnesses for Tuesday.
Location phrase
When loading something, the destination is often stated with „in“ (into) or „auf“ (onto) followed by the accusative. Typical combinations include loading crates into a truck, loading luggage into a car, and loading goods onto a trailer.
EXAMPLE
Am Abend laden wir die Fahrräder auf den Anhänger.
In the evening, we load the bicycles onto the trailer.
Technical devices
With the meaning of supplying electrical energy, „Akku“ (rechargeable battery), „Batterie“ (battery), „Handy“ (mobile phone), or „Laptop“ (laptop) often appear as the object. Words such as „voll“ (fully) or „über Nacht“ (overnight) are also frequently used with „laden“ (to charge).
EXAMPLE
Ich lade den Akku meistens über Nacht voll.
I usually fully charge the battery overnight.
Digital content
„Datei“ (file), „Daten“ (data), „Programm“ (program), and „Seite“ (page) are typical objects for digital content. In technical texts, „laden“ (to load) can also describe a device automatically making content available for use.
EXAMPLE
Die App lädt die aktuellen Nachrichten im Hintergrund.
The app loads the latest news in the background.
Elevated register
The meaning „einladen“ (to invite) is mainly elevated or historical in „laden“ (to invite). A person often appears as the object together with „zu“ (to) and the occasion or event.
EXAMPLE
Der König lud die Gesandten zu einem Festmahl.
The king invited the envoys to a banquet.
In real life
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