laufen vs rennen
German word comparison
Listen to laufen
Listen to rennen
| laufen | rennen |
|---|---|
LAU-fen verb | ˈrɛnən verb |
| to run; to walk (depending on context); to operate/function (e.g., a machine or program) | to run (quickly, to sprint) |
How they differ
Rennen denotes fast, often urgent or competitive running; laufen is broader and can mean walking, running at any speed, or even 'to run' for machines/programs. Rennen never means 'to function' and usually implies greater speed than laufen.
When to use each
When to use laufen: Prefer laufen when you want a neutral term for moving on foot, when speed is unspecified, or when talking about a program/machine running.
When to use rennen: Use rennen when you want to emphasize speed, urgency, racing or sprinting.
Side-by-side examples
- Er läuft jeden Morgen im Park.
(He runs every morning in the park.) - Er rennt, um den Bus nicht zu verpassen.
(He is running so as not to miss the bus.)
Register & nuance: Both are neutral; rennen is more specific and commonly used in everyday speech when describing fast movement.