laufen
to run
To move quickly on one's own feet, faster than walking.
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder laufen im Garten um die Wette.
The children are running races in the garden.
laufen
to run
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Meanings
laufen
to run
To be in operation; to function (of machines, devices, programs).
EXAMPLE
Lass den Motor noch ein paar Minuten laufen.
Let the engine run for a few more minutes.
laufen
to go
To develop or progress in a particular way.
EXAMPLE
Die Geschäfte laufen im Moment sehr gut.
Business is going very well at the moment.
laufen
to be showing
To be shown or broadcast (of films, television programs).
EXAMPLE
Im Kino läuft gerade ein interessanter neuer Dokumentarfilm.
An interesting new documentary is currently showing at the cinema.
laufen
to run
To be valid or continue for a period of time (of contracts, deadlines).
EXAMPLE
Mein Handyvertrag läuft noch ein ganzes Jahr.
My mobile phone contract runs for another whole year.
laufen
to run
To discharge fluid, especially with a cold when the nose is running.
EXAMPLE
Wegen meiner Allergie läuft mir ständig die Nase.
Because of my allergy, my nose is constantly running.
laufen
to walk
Colloquially, to go on foot.
EXAMPLE
Ich bin heute Morgen zur Arbeit gelaufen, weil das Wetter so schön war.
I walked to work this morning because the weather was so nice.
Usage tips
Perfect tense with 'sein'
As a verb of movement, 'laufen' (to run/walk) forms the perfect and pluperfect with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be). This applies to both the literal meaning and the colloquial meaning of walking.
EXAMPLE
Ich bin gestern fünf Kilometer gelaufen.
I ran five kilometers yesterday.
Word family
Important nouns are derived from 'laufen' (to run), such as 'der Lauf' (the act of running or a race) and 'der Läufer' (the person who runs).
EXAMPLE
Beim Marathon in Berlin waren tausende Läufer am Start.
Thousands of runners were at the starting line for the marathon in Berlin.
Context: technology
When it is about machines, engines, or computer programs, 'laufen' (to run) means that they are switched on and functioning. The opposite would be 'stehen' (to be stopped) or 'aus sein' (to be off).
EXAMPLE
Welches Betriebssystem läuft auf deinem Computer?
Which operating system runs on your computer?
Figurative meaning
To describe how a process or business is progressing, 'laufen' (to go) is often combined with adverbs like 'gut' (well), 'schlecht' (badly), or 'nach Plan' (according to plan).
EXAMPLE
Ich hoffe, bei deiner Präsentation läuft alles gut.
I hope everything goes well with your presentation.
Context: media
In connection with media such as cinema or television, 'laufen' (to be showing/airing) means that something is currently being shown or broadcast. The typical structure is: '[Film] läuft in/im [Kino]' ([film] is showing in/at the [cinema]).
EXAMPLE
Welche Filme laufen diese Woche im Kino?
Which films are showing at the cinema this week?
Context: contracts and deadlines
For contracts, subscriptions, or deadlines, 'laufen' (to run) means that they are valid. The duration is often given with 'bis' (until) or 'seit' (since).
EXAMPLE
Mein Fitnessstudio-Vertrag läuft noch sechs Monate.
My gym contract runs for another six months.
Dative construction
The expression 'die Nase läuft' (the nose is running) is fixed. The person affected by it is in the dative. So you say 'Mir läuft die Nase' (My nose is running; literally: To me runs the nose).
EXAMPLE
Ich glaube, ich bekomme eine Erkältung, mir läuft die ganze Zeit die Nase.
I think I'm getting a cold; my nose is running all the time.
Colloquial meaning
In everyday language, 'laufen' (to walk) is very often used instead of 'gehen' (to go/walk) to describe moving on foot, without it having to be fast.
EXAMPLE
Wollen wir ein Stück laufen? Die frische Luft tut gut.
Shall we walk for a bit? The fresh air will do us good.
Compare with
laufen vs gehen
to go
Gehen is the regionally neutral choice for normal movement on foot. Laufen can also colloquially mean gehen, but its use varies by region and it can otherwise refer to faster movement. For a statement that is clear everywhere, gehen is therefore usually the better choice.
laufen
Bei uns laufen wir nach dem Essen gemütlich nach Hause.
Where I live, we walk home at a leisurely pace after dinner.
gehen
Wir gehen nach dem Essen gemütlich nach Hause.
We walk home at a leisurely pace after dinner.
In real life
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