LAUFEN Meaning and
Definition
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Laufen is a German verb that means "to run" in English. It is a versatile verb that can be used in various contexts and has different shades of meaning depending on the situation.
In a physical sense, laufen refers to the act of moving quickly on foot, usually with a higher speed than walking. It implies a rapid and energetic movement, often associated with exercise, sports, or escaping from a threat. For example, one might say "Ich laufe jeden Morgen im Park" (I go running in the park every morning) or "Er lief vor dem Hund davon" (He ran away from the dog).
Beyond the literal sense, laufen can also be used metaphorically to describe the flow or progression of things. In this context, it can mean "to go" or "to function." For instance, "Die Maschine läuft gut" (The machine is running well) or "Die Verhandlungen laufen" (The negotiations are ongoing).
Additionally, laufen has other idiomatic meanings. It can be used to describe liquids flowing or pouring, as in "Das Wasser läuft aus dem Hahn" (The water is running from the faucet). It is also frequently used to mean "to walk" in certain expressions or phrases, such as "Es läuft jemand vor mir her" (Someone is walking ahead of me).
Overall, laufen is a dynamic verb in the German language that encompasses the actions of running, flowing, working, walking, and progressing.
Etymology of LAUFEN
The etymology of the word "laufen" can be traced back to Old High German "loufen" or "lofen", which means "to run". This term has its cognates in other Germanic languages like Old Saxon "hlopan", Old English "hlōpian", and Old Norse "hlaupa". Ultimately, the word likely originates from the Proto-Germanic root "*hlaupaną", which carries the same meaning of "to run".
