German · Emotions & Descriptions

"Empty" in German: leer

leer

Say it: lehradjective/leːɐ̯/

Empty in German is leer. Say Die Flasche ist leer when nothing is left. Forms add endings: eine leere Tasse, ein leeres Glas.

Kitchen

Die Milchflasche ist schon leer.
The milk bottle is already empty.
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How to pronounce leer

Say it

lehr

/leːɐ̯/

lehr. Long e. Soft r.

"Empty" in German: quick reference

GermanEnglish
leerempty

Base adjective.

leere Flascheempty bottle

Recycling.

fast leeralmost empty

Battery or tank.

der Tank ist leerthe tank is empty

Driving.

How to use leer in real life

  1. 1Kitchen

    Die Milchflasche ist schon leer.

    The milk bottle is already empty.

    Ist leer.

  2. 2Phone

    Mein Akku ist fast leer.

    My battery is almost empty.

    Fast leer.

  3. 3Café

    Kannst du die leeren Tassen wegräumen?

    Can you clear away the empty cups?

    Leeren = plural.

Mistakes English speakers make with leer

Incorrect: Die Flasche ist empty.

Correct: Die Flasche ist leer.

Use leer, not English empty.

Incorrect: ein leer Glas

Correct: ein leeres Glas

Neuter needs -es: leeres.

Good to know

Pfand bottles get returned when leer. Locals rinse leere Flaschen and take them to the supermarket machine for the deposit.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Cleaning up after guests

  1. ChatPal

    Ist die Weinflasche schon leer?

    Is the wine bottle already empty?

  2. You

    Ja, komplett leer. Ich stelle sie zu den anderen.

    Yes, completely empty. I'll put it with the others.

  3. ChatPal

    Super. Die leeren Gläser kommen in die Spüle.

    Great. The empty glasses go in the sink.

  4. You

    Alles klar. Ich spüle gleich.

    All good. I'll wash up in a moment.

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"Empty" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Empty" in German

How do you say empty?

Leer.

Empty bottle?

Leere Flasche.

Almost empty?

Fast leer.

Neuter form?

Leeres, as in ein leeres Glas.

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