01
liegen
to lie
To be or rest in a horizontal position.
example
Nach der Arbeit liege ich gerne auf dem Sofa.
After work, I like to lie on the sofa.
liegen
to lie / be located
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Perfect tense with 'haben'
Although 'liegen' (to lie) describes a state, it forms the perfect tense with 'haben' (to have), not with 'sein' (to be). This is a common source of mistakes for learners.
EXAMPLE
Das Buch hat die ganze Zeit auf dem Tisch gelegen.
The book was lying on the table the whole time.
Position with dative
When 'liegen' (to lie / be located) describes a position, it is always used with a preposition of place and the dative. It answers the question 'Wo?' (Where?).
EXAMPLE
Meine Schlüssel liegen auf dem Schrank.
My keys are on the cabinet.
Fixed expression with 'an'
In the meaning 'to be the cause', 'liegen' is fixed with the preposition 'an' and the dative. The typical structure is 'Es liegt an ...' (It is due to ...).
EXAMPLE
Die Verspätung liegt am Stau auf der Autobahn.
The delay is due to the traffic jam on the highway.
Construction with dative
To express that something suits someone well or badly, a dative construction is used. The person is in the dative, while the ability or topic is the subject.
EXAMPLE
Fremdsprachen haben mir schon immer gelegen.
Foreign languages have always suited me.
Typical collocations
When referring to a position in a ranking, 'liegen' (to be ranked / to be placed) is often combined with expressions like 'auf Platz ...' (in ... place), 'an der Spitze' (at the top), or 'im Mittelfeld' (in the middle of the field).
EXAMPLE
Deutschland liegt bei den Exporten weltweit auf einem der vorderen Plätze.
Germany ranks among the top countries worldwide in exports.
Compare with
liegen vs stehen
to stand
'stehen' and 'liegen' both describe the position someone or something is in. They often form a contrast: with 'stehen', a person or object is upright. With 'liegen', something is horizontal or resting on a surface. Learners can easily confuse the words because both can also be connected with a location. What matters is the shape or posture: a bottle 'steht' on the table if it is upright. If it has fallen over, it 'liegt' on the table.
liegen
Nach dem Essen liegt das Messer noch auf dem Küchentisch.
After the meal, the knife is still lying on the kitchen table.
stehen
Beim Konzert stehen viele Leute vor der Bühne.
At the concert, many people are standing in front of the stage.
In real life
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