Meaning
To relax outdoors, exposed to sunlight.
Cultural Background
Germans highly value 'Sommerfrische' after long winters. Parks are filled with people lying in the sun as soon as temperatures rise. In countries like Italy or Greece, sunbathing is a way of life, often associated with the beach culture. Similar to Germany, the sun is a precious resource, and people actively seek it out during the short summers. Sunbathing is popular, but there is a stronger awareness of skin cancer risks, leading to more frequent use of sunscreen.
Dative Case
Always remember that 'in' here takes the dative case because it describes a static location.
Perfect Tense
Use 'haben' as the auxiliary verb for 'liegen' in the perfect tense: 'Ich habe gelegen'.
Meaning
To relax outdoors, exposed to sunlight.
Dative Case
Always remember that 'in' here takes the dative case because it describes a static location.
Perfect Tense
Use 'haben' as the auxiliary verb for 'liegen' in the perfect tense: 'Ich habe gelegen'.
Sunbathing Culture
In Germany, lying in the sun is a very common and accepted way to spend free time in public parks.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the verb.
Gestern ________ ich den ganzen Tag in der Sonne.
The sentence is in the past (Präteritum), so 'lag' is correct.
Choose the correct preposition.
Ich liege ____ der Sonne.
The correct preposition for being in the sunlight is 'in'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Was machst du im Urlaub? B: Ich will nur ________.
This is the standard, grammatically correct phrase.
Match the situation to the phrase.
You are at the beach and want to relax.
This phrase best describes relaxing at the beach.
🎉 Score: /4
Practice Bank
4 exercisesGestern ________ ich den ganzen Tag in der Sonne.
The sentence is in the past (Präteritum), so 'lag' is correct.
Ich liege ____ der Sonne.
The correct preposition for being in the sunlight is 'in'.
A: Was machst du im Urlaub? B: Ich will nur ________.
This is the standard, grammatically correct phrase.
You are at the beach and want to relax.
This phrase best describes relaxing at the beach.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsNo, 'liegen' specifically means lying down. Use 'in der Sonne sitzen' for sitting.
Not at all, it is very common in German cities.
'Liegen' is the state of being in a horizontal position. 'Legen' is the action of placing yourself or something else into that position.
No, it is too informal.
It is not offensive, but it is very informal and implies you might get a sunburn.
Because of the long, dark winters, sunlight is highly appreciated for its mood-boosting effects.
No, that would be contradictory. You must be exposed to the sun.
The Präteritum is 'lag' and the Perfekt is 'habe gelegen'.
Yes, 'das Sonnenbaden'.
Yes, 'Die Katze liegt in der Sonne' is perfectly correct.
It often implies it, but the primary meaning is just lying in the sun.
Only if the sun is strong enough, e.g., in the mountains (skiing).
Related Phrases
Sonne tanken
similarTo soak up the sun
sich sonnen
synonymTo sunbathe
in der Sonne braten
specialized formTo roast in the sun
die Sonne genießen
similarTo enjoy the sun
