The idea
Use leer for empty. Use frei for free, available, or unoccupied. Read the complete sentence before choosing: the object, situation, time reference and relationship between speakers can determine the better expression. Where the meanings overlap, both can be possible with a different emphasis. The reference table states the senses taught here; other dictionary senses may require a different translation.
| Expression | Meaning compared |
|---|---|
| leer | „Leer“ bezeichnet fehlenden Inhalt. |
| frei | „Frei“ kann verfügbar oder nicht besetzt bedeuten. |
Examples
- Die Wasserflasche ist leider leer.The water bottle is unfortunately empty.
- Ist der Stuhl neben Ihnen frei?Is the chair beside you free?
- Der Saal war nach dem Konzert leer.The hall was empty after the concert.
- Am Freitag habe ich den Nachmittag frei.I have Friday afternoon off.
- Der leere Koffer passt unter das Bett.The empty suitcase fits under the bed.
- Ab Donnerstag ist die kleine Wohnung frei.The small flat is available from Thursday.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic German voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No German device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
A seat can be physically empty but reserved, so not frei for another person.
Try it yourself
What does “leer” mean in the first example sentence? Explain how it differs from the meaning of “frei”.
Show answer or example answer
„Leer“ bezeichnet fehlenden Inhalt. „Frei“ kann verfügbar oder nicht besetzt bedeuten.
leer matches empty; the German definition gives the intended sense.
Explain the choice of word in this sentence. What meaning would the other expression have? Ist der Stuhl neben Ihnen frei?
Show answer or example answer
frei: „Frei“ kann verfügbar oder nicht besetzt bedeuten.
Ist der Stuhl neben Ihnen frei? uses frei for free, available, or unoccupied. The answer depends on this context, not only on the spelling of the word.
Write a separate sentence for each expression. Use “leer” and “frei” in different situations.
Show answer or example answer
Mögliche Lösungen: Der Saal war nach dem Konzert leer. Am Freitag habe ich den Nachmittag frei.
The model pair keeps the meanings separate: leer expresses empty, whereas frei expresses free, available, or unoccupied. Other original sentences are possible if their context supports the chosen sense.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
What does “leer” mean in the first example sentence? Explain how it differs from the meaning of “frei”.
„Leer“ bezeichnet fehlenden Inhalt. „Frei“ kann verfügbar oder nicht besetzt bedeuten.
Explain the choice of word in this sentence. What meaning would the other expression have? Ist der Stuhl neben Ihnen frei?
frei: „Frei“ kann verfügbar oder nicht besetzt bedeuten.
Write a separate sentence for each expression. Use “leer” and “frei” in different situations.
Mögliche Lösungen: Der Saal war nach dem Konzert leer. Am Freitag habe ich den Nachmittag frei.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
Sign up for free to save your practice results in your account and carry on with the story in the game.
Sign up to saveI already have an accountUse it today
Describe two real situations from your day, using leer in one and frei in the other. Underline the detail that makes the chosen meaning appropriate. If both expressions could fit, explain the change in emphasis rather than marking the alternative automatically wrong.