This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

B1 verb #7,500 most common 12 min read

grasen

Top 7,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips grasen in 30 Seconds

Explanation grasen in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'grasen' is what cows (Kühe) and sheep (Schafe) do. It is a simple action word. You can think of it as 'eating grass'. You will mostly see it in very simple sentences like 'Die Kuh grast.' or 'Das Schaf grast.' It helps you describe a farm or a picture of nature. At this stage, don't worry about complicated grammar. Just remember that animals 'grasen' and people 'essen'. If you see a cow in a field, you can say: 'Die Kuh isst Gras' (simple) or 'Die Kuh grast' (better). It is a regular verb, so the endings are easy to learn: ich grase, du grast, er grast.

At the A2 level, you start to use 'grasen' in slightly longer sentences with locations. You might say 'Die Pferde grasen auf der Wiese' (The horses graze on the meadow). You also learn the past tense 'hat gegrast'. For example: 'Gestern hat die Kuh viel gegrast.' You understand that 'grasen' is specifically for grass and for animals in a field. You might also encounter it in simple stories about animals. You should be able to distinguish 'grasen' from 'fressen' (general eating for animals). If an animal is eating an apple, it is 'fressen', but if it is eating from the ground in a field, it is 'grasen'.

At the B1 level, you use 'grasen' with more confidence in various tenses and contexts. You understand that it is a 'weak verb' (graste, gegrast). You can describe rural landscapes or environmental topics. You might use it in the preterite 'graste' when writing a story. You also start to see the prefix version 'abgrasen', which means to graze an area completely. You can use 'grasen' to talk about nature conservation, such as 'Schafe grasen auf dem Deich' (Sheep graze on the dike). You are expected to use the correct prepositions like 'auf' or 'an' with the verb.

At the B2 level, you understand the metaphorical uses of the related verb 'abgrasen'. You might say 'Ich habe alle Quellen für meine Hausarbeit abgegrast' (I scoured all sources for my term paper). You also recognize 'grasen' in more complex literary texts where it might be used to set a specific mood or atmosphere. You understand the nuances between 'grasen' and 'weiden' and can choose the appropriate word for the register you are using. You can discuss the ecological impact of 'Grashöhe' (grass height) and how 'grasende Tiere' (grazing animals) affect biodiversity.

At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the word's place in German culture and literature. You can use it in sophisticated discussions about agriculture, history, or ecology. You might encounter archaic or poetic uses in older literature. You understand how 'grasen' fits into the broader word family, including nouns like 'die Grasung' or technical terms like 'Standweide'. You can use the verb in complex grammatical structures, such as passive substitutions or extended participle constructions: 'Die friedlich auf der Alm grasenden Kühe boten ein malerisches Bild.'

At the C2 level, you command the full range of the word's meanings, including its rare technical or regional variations. You can analyze the etymological roots of 'grasen' and its relationship to other Germanic languages. You can use it with perfect precision in any register, from a scientific paper on ruminant behavior to a high-level literary analysis of pastoral themes in 19th-century German poetry. You understand the subtle differences in connotation between 'grasen', 'äsen' (used specifically for deer in hunting terminology), and 'weiden'.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

grasen in 30 Seconds

Grasen is a German verb meaning 'to graze', specifically for animals eating grass in a field.
It is a regular (weak) verb conjugated as grasen, graste, gegrast, and it uses 'haben'.
Primarily used for livestock like cows, sheep, and horses, or wild animals like deer.
The prefixed form 'abgrasen' can mean to scour or search an area thoroughly.

The German verb grasen is a specialized term primarily used in the context of animal husbandry and nature. At its core, it describes the action of herbivores, such as cows, sheep, horses, or deer, eating grass directly from the ground in a pasture or field. Unlike the general verb fressen (to eat, used for animals), grasen specifically denotes the rhythmic, slow, and continuous process of consuming vegetation in a natural setting. It evokes a sense of peace, rural tranquility, and the steady pace of nature. When you use this word, you aren't just saying an animal is eating; you are painting a picture of a meadow where life moves at a slower speed.

Agricultural Context: In farming, 'grasen' is used to describe the primary activity of livestock during the warmer months. Farmers talk about 'die Tiere auf die Weide schicken' (sending the animals to the pasture) specifically so they can graze. It is a vital part of sustainable farming practices in regions like Bavaria or the Swiss Alps.
Biological Nuance: Biologically, 'grasen' involves the specific physical mechanics of ruminants using their tongues or teeth to pull and tear grass. It is distinct from 'nagen' (gnawing) or 'kauen' (chewing), though chewing is part of the process. It focuses on the harvest of the grass from the earth.
Figurative Extension: While less common than its literal use, 'grasen' can appear in literary contexts to describe a slow, wandering search. However, the prefix version 'abgrasen' is much more frequently used to mean 'to scour' or 'to search throughly' for information or items.

Die Kühe grasen friedlich auf der Alm, während die Sonne langsam hinter den Bergen untergeht.

Translation: The cows are grazing peacefully on the mountain pasture while the sun slowly sets behind the mountains.

In everyday German, you will encounter this word most often when driving through the countryside. If you see a flock of sheep, you would remark, 'Schau mal, die Schafe grasen dort.' It is a B1 level word because while it is specific, it is essential for describing common rural scenes and environmental topics. It also appears in children's literature frequently, as farm animals are a staple of early learning. Understanding 'grasen' helps you move beyond the generic 'fressen' and adds descriptive precision to your German vocabulary.

Rehe kommen oft in der Dämmerung aus dem Wald, um auf der Lichtung zu grasen.

Translation: Deer often come out of the forest at twilight to graze in the clearing.

Das Pferd darf nach dem Training noch eine Stunde auf der Koppel grasen.

Translation: The horse is allowed to graze in the paddock for another hour after training.

Historically, the word is deeply rooted in the Germanic languages, sharing the same origin as the word 'Gras' (grass). It reflects the pastoral history of German-speaking lands. Even today, when discussing ecology or biodiversity, 'grasen' is used to describe how certain species maintain the landscape by keeping the grass short, which prevents forest overgrowth and promotes various types of wild flowers.

Früher ließen die Bauern ihre Gänse im Dorf grasen, um das Gras kurz zu halten.

Translation: In the past, farmers let their geese graze in the village to keep the grass short.

Die Wildpferde grasen in der weiten Steppe.

Translation: The wild horses graze in the vast steppe.

Using grasen correctly requires understanding its grammatical behavior as a regular (weak) verb. It follows the standard conjugation patterns for '-en' verbs. Because it describes a continuous state or activity, it is often paired with adverbs that describe the manner or location of the grazing. You will rarely see it used in the passive voice, as the focus is almost always on the animal performing the action. It is an intransitive verb in its primary sense, meaning it does not take a direct object; you graze *on* something or *somewhere*, you don't 'graze a thing' (unless using the prefixed 'abgrasen').

Present Tense: In the present tense, it is straightforward: 'Ich grase' (if you were an animal), 'du grast', 'er/sie/es grast', 'wir grasen', 'ihr grast', 'sie grasen'. Example: 'Die Schafe grasen auf dem Hügel.'
Perfect Tense: The perfect tense uses the auxiliary verb 'haben'. Form: 'hat gegrast'. Example: 'Die Kuh hat den ganzen Vormittag auf der Wiese gegrast.' This indicates the action has been completed or has been occurring up to now.
Preterite (Narrative Past): In literature or storytelling, you use 'graste'. Example: 'Die Herde graste friedlich, als plötzlich ein Wolf erschien.' This sets the scene for a narrative event.

Wenn es regnet, grasen die Tiere meistens unter den großen Eichen.

Translation: When it rains, the animals usually graze under the large oak trees.

One of the most important aspects of using 'grasen' is the prepositional phrase that usually follows it. Most commonly, animals graze 'auf' (on) a 'Wiese' (meadow), 'Weide' (pasture), or 'Alm' (mountain pasture). You might also use 'an' if they are grazing at the edge of something, like 'am Waldrand' (at the edge of the forest). The verb helps establish the spatial relationship between the animal and its environment.

Die Ziegen grasten gierig das frische Frühlingsgras.

Translation: The goats grazed greedily on the fresh spring grass.

Advanced learners should note the difference between 'grasen' and the reflexive 'sich weiden an' (to feast one's eyes on). While 'grasen' is literal, 'weiden' can be metaphorical. However, 'grasen' itself remains stubbornly literal 99% of the time. If you want to say you are searching for something, use 'abgrasen'. Example: 'Ich habe das ganze Internet nach Informationen abgegrast' (I scoured the whole internet for information).

Die Schafe haben die ganze Nacht draußen gegrast.

Translation: The sheep grazed outside all night.

Modal Verbs: When combined with modal verbs, 'grasen' usually appears at the end of the sentence. 'Die Pferde dürfen hier nicht grasen.' (The horses are not allowed to graze here.)
Subordinate Clauses: In a 'weil' (because) clause, the verb moves to the end. 'Wir halten hier an, weil die Kühe gerade die Straße überqueren, um zu grasen.'

Es ist schön zu beobachten, wie die Lämmer neben ihren Müttern grasen.

Translation: It is beautiful to watch how the lambs graze next to their mothers.

You will encounter the word grasen in several specific environments in the German-speaking world. While it might not come up in a high-tech office in Berlin, it is ubiquitous in other contexts. Understanding these contexts will help you recognize the word and use it with the right 'flavor'.

Rural and Alpine Regions: If you travel through Bavaria, Austria, or Switzerland, you will hear this word constantly. Farmers, hikers, and locals use it to describe the livestock. 'Die Kühe grasen oben auf der Alm' is a standard sentence you might hear when asking where the cattle are. It's part of the regional identity linked to the 'Kulturlandschaft' (cultural landscape).
Nature Documentaries: German-dubbed nature documentaries (like those on ZDF Terra X or National Geographic) use 'grasen' to describe the behavior of wild animals. Narrators use it to create a sense of the ecological cycle. 'Die Antilopen grasen in der Savanne, immer wachsam gegenüber Raubtieren.'
Children's Literature and Media: Books for children are full of farm animals. 'Die kleine Kuh Lieselotte grast auf der Wiese' is a typical sentence. It’s one of the first verbs children learn to distinguish animal actions from human ones.

In den Nachrichten hieß es, dass die Schafe die Deiche abgrasen, um den Küstenschutz zu unterstützen.

Translation: In the news, it said that the sheep are grazing the dikes to support coastal protection.

Another modern context is environmental news. Germany places a high value on 'Landschaftspflege' (landscape maintenance). You might read articles about how 'Mähroboter' (robotic mowers) are being replaced by grazing animals in certain city parks to promote biodiversity. In these reports, 'grasen' is the technical and descriptive term used to contrast natural processes with mechanical ones.

Touristen fotografieren oft die Pferde, die am Straßenrand grasen.

Translation: Tourists often photograph the horses grazing by the roadside.

In literature, specifically in 'Heimatromane' (regional novels set in the countryside), 'grasen' is used to set a peaceful, idyllic tone. It’s part of the sensory language used to describe the 'Duft von frischem Gras' (scent of fresh grass) and the 'Glockenläuten der grasenden Kühe' (ringing of the bells of the grazing cows). It’s a word that carries significant emotional weight regarding the German 'Heimat' (homeland) and nature.

Die Gänse grasen im Obstgarten unter den Apfelbäumen.

Translation: The geese are grazing in the orchard under the apple trees.

While grasen seems simple, English speakers often fall into a few specific traps. These mistakes usually stem from over-extending the word's meaning or confusing it with similar-sounding German words.

Mistake 1: Using it for Humans: In English, you might jokingly say 'I'm just grazing' if you are snacking throughout the day. In German, 'grasen' is almost never used this way. If you say 'Ich grase', people will think you are literally eating grass like a cow. For human snacking, use 'snacken', 'naschen', or 'zwischendurch essen'.
Mistake 2: Confusing with 'Gras mähen': Some learners think 'grasen' means to cut the grass (mow the lawn). This is incorrect. To mow the lawn is 'Rasen mähen'. 'Grasen' requires a mouth and a stomach; it is a biological process, not a mechanical one.
Mistake 3: 'Grasen' vs. 'Fressen': While all grazing is eating, not all animal eating is grazing. If a cow is in a barn eating hay from a trough, it is 'fressen', not 'grasen'. 'Grasen' specifically requires the animal to be in a field eating living grass.

Incorrect: Ich grase den ganzen Tag in der Küche.
Correct: Ich nasche den ganzen Tag in der Küche.

Note: Don't use 'grasen' for human snacking.

Another common error is the confusion between 'grasen' and 'grinsen'. Since both start with 'gr-' and end in '-en', beginners often mix them up in fast speech. 'Grinsen' means to grin or smirk. Telling someone 'Du grast' (You are grazing) when you mean 'Du grinst' (You are grinning) will lead to a very confused conversation.

Das Kaninchen grast im Garten, es frisst aber auch Karotten.

Translation: The rabbit grazes in the garden, but it also eats carrots.

Lastly, pay attention to the preposition. In English, we say 'graze on the grass'. In German, you can say 'Gras grasen' (rare, redundant) or 'auf der Wiese grasen'. Using 'in' (in the meadow) is also possible, but 'auf' is more common for the surface of the pasture. Avoid using 'mit' (with) unless you are describing the tool, which doesn't make sense for grazing.

Incorrect: Die Schafe grasen mit dem Feld.
Correct: Die Schafe grasen auf dem Feld.

Note: Use the correct preposition for location.

German has several words that overlap with grasen. Choosing the right one depends on whether you want to be general, technical, or metaphorical. Here is a breakdown of how 'grasen' compares to its closest relatives.

grasen vs. weiden: 'Weiden' is almost a synonym, but it has a slightly broader and more elevated feel. While 'grasen' is the physical act of eating grass, 'weiden' refers to the whole process of being out on the pasture. 'Weiden' is also used in the poetic phrase 'die Augen weiden an...' (to feast one's eyes on something).
grasen vs. fressen: 'Fressen' is the general word for animals eating. Use 'fressen' for any animal and any food (meat, grain, hay). Use 'grasen' only for herbivores eating grass in a field. 'Der Löwe frisst' (correct), 'Der Löwe grast' (impossible, unless the lion is very confused).
grasen vs. abgrasen: 'Abgrasen' is the 'completion' version. It means to graze an area until nothing is left, or metaphorically, to search an area thoroughly. 'Ich habe alle Flohmärkte abgegrast' (I scoured all the flea markets).

Während die Schafe grasen, weidet der Schäfer seine Augen am Panorama der Alpen.

Translation: While the sheep graze, the shepherd feasts his eyes on the panorama of the Alps.

Other alternatives include 'mampfen' (to munch), which is informal and can be used for both humans and animals. It implies a certain enjoyment and sound. There is also 'knabbern' (to nibble), used for small animals like rabbits or hamsters when they are eating small bits of grass or hay.

Das Kaninchen knabbert an einem Löwenzahnblatt, während die Kühe auf der Nachbarwiese grasen.

Translation: The rabbit nibbles on a dandelion leaf, while the cows graze in the neighboring meadow.

In a technical agricultural sense, you might also hear 'Grasaufnahme' (grass intake), but this is a noun and used in scientific contexts. For the verb, 'grasen' remains the most accurate and commonly understood term across all German dialects, from the 'Marschland' in the north to the 'Almen' in the south.

Die Herde hat die gesamte Wiese abgegrast, wir müssen sie jetzt umstellen.

Translation: The herd has grazed the entire meadow bare; we must move them now.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

It is a cognate of the English word 'graze'. Both words share the same ancient root that gave us 'green' and 'grow'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈɡʁaːzn̩/

US /ˈɡʁaːzn̩/

The stress is on the first syllable: GRA-sen.

Rhymes With

rasen (to race/speed) Hasen (hares) Nasen (noses) Phasen (phases) Blasen (bubbles/to blow) Basen (bases) Glasen (bells - nautical) lasen (read - past tense)

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 's' as an unvoiced 's' (like 'glass') instead of a voiced 'z' sound.
Making the 'a' too short like in the English word 'grass'.
Pronouncing the 'r' as an English 'r' instead of the German uvular 'r'.
Over-emphasizing the final 'en' instead of letting it be a soft 'n'.
Confusing the vowel with 'i' (grinsen).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize due to the root word 'Gras'.

Writing 3/5

Requires knowledge of weak verb conjugation and correct prepositions.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation of the 'r' and 'z' sound can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 2/5

Distinctive sound, usually clear in context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

das Gras die Kuh essen fressen die Wiese

Learn Next

weiden abgrasen äsen die Weide der Hirte

Advanced

die Allmende die Biodiversität die Überweidung die Nutztierhaltung

Grammar to Know

Weak Verb Conjugation

grasen -> graste -> gegrast

Prepositions with Dative (Location)

auf der Wiese (Dativ)

Separable Verbs

abgrasen -> Er grast die Läden ab.

Nominalization

das Grasen (The grazing)

Present Participle as Adjective

die grasenden Kühe

Examples by Level

Die Kuh grast.

The cow grazes.

Simple present tense, 3rd person singular.

Schafe grasen gern.

Sheep like to graze.

Plural subject with 'gern' to express preference.

Das Pferd grast hier.

The horse grazes here.

Use of the adverb 'hier' for location.

Grast die Kuh?

Is the cow grazing?

Inverted word order for a question.

Ich sehe eine Kuh grasen.

I see a cow grazing.

Accusative with infinitive (AcI) construction.

Die Ziegen grasen im Garten.

The goats graze in the garden.

Prepositional phrase 'im Garten'.

Vögel grasen nicht.

Birds do not graze.

Negation with 'nicht'.

Wo grast das Schaf?

Where is the sheep grazing?

Question word 'Wo'.

Die Kühe grasen auf der großen Wiese.

The cows are grazing on the large meadow.

Dative case after 'auf' (position).

Gestern hat das Pferd lange gegrast.

Yesterday the horse grazed for a long time.

Perfect tense with 'haben'.

Im Sommer grasen die Tiere draußen.

In summer, the animals graze outside.

Time expression at the beginning (V2 rule).

Die Schafe grasen friedlich am Fluss.

The sheep graze peacefully by the river.

Adverb 'friedlich' describing the action.

Warum grast die Kuh nicht?

Why isn't the cow grazing?

Interrogative 'Warum'.

Wir dürfen hier nicht grasen lassen.

We are not allowed to let [them] graze here.

Modal verb 'dürfen' with 'lassen'.

Das kleine Lamm grast bei seiner Mutter.

The little lamb grazes near its mother.

Possessive pronoun 'seiner'.

Die Pferde haben heute Morgen gegrast.

The horses grazed this morning.

Perfect tense plural.

Die Herde graste den ganzen Tag auf der Alm.

The herd grazed all day on the mountain pasture.

Preterite (narrative past) tense.

Es ist wichtig, dass die Tiere genug grasen können.

It is important that the animals can graze enough.

Subordinate clause with 'dass'.

Die Rehe grasen oft am Waldrand.

The deer often graze at the edge of the forest.

Plural of 'Reh' is 'Rehe'.

Nachdem sie gegrast hatten, legten sich die Kühe hin.

After they had grazed, the cows lay down.

Past perfect (Plusquamperfekt) with 'nachdem'.

In dieser Region grasen viele verschiedene Schafrassen.

Many different breeds of sheep graze in this region.

Subject-verb agreement with 'viele'.

Man kann die Pferde beim Grasen beobachten.

One can observe the horses while they graze.

Nominalized verb 'beim Grasen'.

Obwohl es regnete, grasten die Tiere weiter.

Although it was raining, the animals continued to graze.

Concessive clause with 'obwohl'.

Die Gänse grasten auf dem Dorfplatz.

The geese grazed on the village square.

Preterite plural.

Die Schafe grasen die Deiche ab, um sie stabil zu halten.

The sheep graze the dikes to keep them stable.

Separable verb 'abgrasen' in present tense.

Früher grasten hier riesige Herden von Wisenten.

In the past, huge herds of bison grazed here.

Preterite with 'früher'.

Das Vieh grast auf ökologisch wertvollen Flächen.

The livestock grazes on ecologically valuable areas.

Adjective declension in dative.

Ich habe das Internet nach günstigen Flügen abgegrast.

I scoured the internet for cheap flights.

Metaphorical use of 'abgrasen'.

Durch das Grasen wird die Verbuschung der Landschaft verhindert.

Grazing prevents the landscape from becoming overgrown with bushes.

Nominalization 'das Grasen' as a subject.

Die Tiere grasen selektiv und lassen manche Pflanzen stehen.

The animals graze selectively and leave some plants standing.

Adverb 'selektiv'.

Es ist faszinierend, wie ruhig die Herde grast.

It is fascinating how quietly the herd grazes.

Indirect question with 'wie'.

Bevor der Winter kommt, müssen die Schafe noch viel grasen.

Before winter comes, the sheep still need to graze a lot.

Temporal clause with 'bevor'.

Die grasenden Rinder tragen zur Erhaltung der Biodiversität bei.

The grazing cattle contribute to the preservation of biodiversity.

Present participle 'grasend' used as an adjective.

Das intensive Grasen kann zu Bodenerosion führen.

Intensive grazing can lead to soil erosion.

Nominalized verb with an adjective.

In der Ferne sah man das Wild auf den Lichtungen grasen.

In the distance, one could see the game grazing in the clearings.

AcI construction with 'sah'.

Die Detektive grasten das gesamte Viertel nach Hinweisen ab.

The detectives scoured the entire neighborhood for clues.

Metaphorical 'abgrasen' in preterite.

Traditionell grasten die Tiere auf den gemeinschaftlichen Allmenden.

Traditionally, the animals grazed on the communal commons.

Historical term 'Allmenden'.

Die Auswirkungen des Grasens auf die Flora sind gut dokumentiert.

The effects of grazing on the flora are well documented.

Genitive case 'des Grasens'.

Manche Insekten profitieren von den kurz gegrasten Flächen.

Some insects benefit from the short-grazed areas.

Past participle 'gegrast' in a compound adjective.

Das Grasen der Schafe verhindert, dass der Deich aufweicht.

The grazing of the sheep prevents the dike from softening.

Subordinate clause with 'dass'.

Die Symbiose zwischen grasenden Huftieren und Steppenökosystemen ist hochkomplex.

The symbiosis between grazing ungulates and steppe ecosystems is highly complex.

Technical vocabulary 'Huftiere', 'Steppenökosysteme'.

Das Verb 'grasen' evoziert Bilder einer unberührten, pastoralen Idylle.

The verb 'grasen' evokes images of an untouched, pastoral idyll.

Abstract literary analysis.

In den alten Epen grasten die Rosse der Helden auf den göttlichen Auen.

In the ancient epics, the heroes' steeds grazed on the divine meadows.

Archaic terms 'Rosse', 'Auen'.

Die Forscher grasten sämtliche Archive nach verschollenen Manuskripten ab.

The researchers scoured all archives for lost manuscripts.

Metaphorical use in a formal academic context.

Übermäßiges Grasen, auch Überweidung genannt, gefährdet die Bodenstabilität.

Excessive grazing, also known as overgrazing, endangers soil stability.

Apposition 'auch Überweidung genannt'.

Das rhythmische Grasen der Herde wirkte fast meditativ auf den Beobachter.

The rhythmic grazing of the herd had an almost meditative effect on the observer.

Sophisticated descriptive language.

Linguistisch betrachtet ist 'grasen' ein direktes Desubstantivum von 'Gras'.

Linguistically speaking, 'grasen' is a direct denominal verb from 'Gras'.

Technical linguistic terminology.

Die Tiere grasten das Areal mit einer bemerkenswerten Gründlichkeit ab.

The animals scoured the area with remarkable thoroughness.

Noun 'Gründlichkeit' with preposition 'mit'.

Common Collocations

friedlich grasen

auf der Weide grasen

Gras grasen

den ganzen Tag grasen

zusammen grasen

am Waldrand grasen

genüsslich grasen

draußen grasen

ununterbrochen grasen

im Schatten grasen

Common Phrases

auf die Weide zum Grasen schicken

— To send animals to the pasture so they can eat.

Der Bauer schickt die Kühe zum Grasen auf die Weide.

beim Grasen stören

— To disturb an animal while it is eating grass.

Man sollte die Pferde nicht beim Grasen stören.

Zeit zum Grasen

— Time for the animals to eat.

Es ist jetzt Zeit zum Grasen.

frisches Gras zum Grasen

— Fresh grass for eating.

Die Schafe suchen frisches Gras zum Grasen.

die Wiese abgrasen

— To eat all the grass in a meadow.

Die Herde hat die Wiese schnell abgegrast.

friedlich grasende Herde

— A peacefully grazing herd.

Wir sahen eine friedlich grasende Herde.

Grasen verboten

— Grazing prohibited.

Hier ist das Grasen für fremde Tiere verboten.

Erlaubnis zum Grasen

— Permission to graze.

Der Schäfer braucht eine Erlaubnis zum Grasen auf diesem Land.

Grasen im Freien

— Grazing in the open air.

Grasen im Freien ist gesund für die Tiere.

nach dem Grasen

— After grazing.

Nach dem Grasen werden die Kühe gemolken.

Often Confused With

grasen vs grinsen

Means to grin. Sounds similar but has a completely different meaning.

grasen vs rasen

Means to speed or race. Only differs by the starting 'g'.

grasen vs grasen (metaphorical)

Learners often forget to add 'ab-' when they mean scouring.

Idioms & Expressions

"ins Gras beißen"

— To die (literally: to bite into the grass).

Im Western beißen viele Bösewichte ins Gras.

informal

"das Gras wachsen hören"

— To be overly sensitive or think one is very clever.

Er glaubt, er hört das Gras wachsen.

informal

"über etwas ist Gras gewachsen"

— Something has been forgotten or forgiven over time.

Darüber ist längst Gras gewachsen.

neutral

"das Feld abgrasen"

— To check every possibility or place.

Wir haben das ganze Feld abgegrast, aber nichts gefunden.

informal

"wie die Kuh vorm neuen Tor stehen"

— To be completely bewildered (cows graze near gates).

Er stand da wie die Kuh vorm neuen Tor.

informal

"Gras fressen müssen"

— To have to live on very little or be very poor.

Wenn das so weitergeht, müssen wir bald Gras fressen.

informal

"die Radieschen von unten betrachten"

— To be dead and buried (related to ground vegetation).

Er betrachtet die Radieschen schon von unten.

informal

"einen im Tee haben"

— To be drunk (nothing to do with grass, but common rural idiom).

Der Bauer hatte wohl einen im Tee.

slang

"auf dem trockenen sitzen"

— To be broke or without resources (opposite of lush grass).

Nach dem Urlaub saß er auf dem Trockenen.

informal

"Dreck am Stecken haben"

— To have a skeleton in the closet (farm context).

Jeder Politiker hat doch Dreck am Stecken.

informal

Easily Confused

grasen vs fressen

Both mean eating for animals.

'Fressen' is general for all food; 'grasen' is specific to grass in a field.

Der Hund frisst Fleisch, aber die Kuh grast.

grasen vs weiden

Very close synonyms.

'Weiden' is more about the state of being in a pasture; 'grasen' is the specific action of eating.

Die Schafe weiden den ganzen Tag.

grasen vs äsen

Both refer to grazing.

'Äsen' is the specialized term used only for wild game like deer in hunting contexts.

Das Rotwild äst auf der Lichtung.

grasen vs mähen

Both involve cutting grass.

'Mähen' is done by a machine or a human with a scythe; 'grasen' is done by animals eating.

Ich mähe den Rasen, während die Kuh grast.

grasen vs knabbern

Both are ways of eating plants.

'Knabbern' implies small, repetitive bites (nibbling).

Das Meerschweinchen knabbert am Heu.

Sentence Patterns

[Tier] grast.

Die Kuh grast.

[Tier] grast auf [Ort].

Die Schafe grasen auf dem Hügel.

[Tier] hat auf [Ort] gegrast.

Das Pferd hat auf der Koppel gegrast.

Beim [Grasen] + Verb...

Beim Grasen sind die Tiere ruhig.

[Person] grast [Objekt] ab.

Er grast die Flohmärkte ab.

Die [grasenden] [Tiere]...

Die grasenden Rehe flüchteten.

Durch das [Grasen] der [Tiere]...

Durch das Grasen der Schafe bleibt das Gras kurz.

Es ist [Adjektiv] zu beobachten, wie [Subjekt] grast.

Es ist kontemplativ zu beobachten, wie die Herde grast.

Word Family

Nouns

das Gras

die Gräser

die Grasung

der Graser

die Grasnarbe

die Grasfläche

Verbs

abgrasen

begrasen

entgrasen

Adjectives

grasig

grasgrün

grasbewachsen

die Wiese

die Weide

das Heu

der Halm

das Vieh

How to Use It

frequency

Common in rural and environmental contexts, rare in urban/business contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using 'grasen' for a person eating salad. → Ich esse einen Salat.
'Grasen' is for animals only.
Saying 'Die Kuh grasen'. → Die Kuh grast.
Subject-verb agreement (singular).
Using 'grasen' for a dog eating meat. → Der Hund frisst Fleisch.
'Grasen' only applies to eating grass.
Confusing 'grasen' with 'grinsen'. → Er grinst mich an.
'Grinsen' means to smile/grin.
Using 'grasen' without 'ab-' for scouring. → Ich grase das Internet ab.
The prefix 'ab-' is necessary for the metaphorical meaning of searching.

Tips

Regular Verb

Don't overthink the conjugation. It's perfectly regular: -te in the past, -t for the participle.

The 'Gras' Connection

Always link it to the noun 'Gras'. If there is no grass, there is no 'grasen'.

Voiced 'S'

Make sure the 's' sounds like a bee buzzing (z), not like a snake hissing (s).

Rural Areas

Use this word when you are in the countryside to sound more like a native.

Searching

Use 'abgrasen' when you've looked everywhere for your keys or a good deal.

Grasen vs Mähen

Animals 'grasen', machines 'mähen'. Never swap them!

Nature Docs

Watch a German nature documentary about the Alps to hear this word in its natural habitat.

Atmosphere

Use 'friedlich grasen' to immediately create a calm, idyllic scene in your stories.

No Humans!

Avoid saying 'Ich grase' at a salad bar unless you want people to laugh.

Expand

Learn 'abgrasen' and 'grasig' at the same time to build a small thematic cluster.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the 'Gras' (grass) and add '-en' to make it an action. Cows are 'grass-ing'. It sounds almost exactly like 'grazing'.

Visual Association

Imagine a bright green Alpine meadow with a brown cow slowly chewing. The sound of the grass being pulled is 'grasen'.

Word Web

Kuh Schaf Wiese Weide Gras fressen Natur Bauernhof

Challenge

Try to find three different animals that 'grasen' and write a sentence for each using a different tense (Present, Perfect, Preterite).

Word Origin

The verb 'grasen' is derived from the Old High German 'grason', which comes from the noun 'gras'. It has been a part of the Germanic languages for over a thousand years.

Original meaning: To eat grass or to gather grass.

Germanic / Indo-European.

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but be careful not to use it for people as it can be insulting (implying they are like livestock).

The English 'graze' can be used for humans snacking, but the German 'grasen' is strictly for animals. This is a common point of confusion for learners.

Heidi (Johanna Spyri) - often describes goats grazing. German folk songs about shepherds. Nature documentaries by Heinz Sielmann.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Agriculture

Tiere auf die Weide treiben
Vieh grasen lassen
Weidefläche
Grasqualität

Nature

Wildtiere beobachten
am Waldrand
in der Dämmerung
natürlicher Lebensraum

Tourism

idyllische Landschaft
Alpenpanorama
glückliche Kühe
Wanderweg

Ecology

Landschaftspflege
Artenvielfalt
nachhaltige Beweidung
Bodenverdichtung

Idiomatic Search

das Internet abgrasen
alle Läden abgrasen
Informationen sammeln
fündig werden

Conversation Starters

"Hast du schon mal eine Herde Schafe beim Grasen beobachtet?"

"Glaubst du, dass Kühe glücklicher sind, wenn sie draußen grasen dürfen?"

"In deiner Heimat, sieht man dort oft Tiere auf den Feldern grasen?"

"Was ist der Unterschied zwischen grasen und fressen für dich?"

"Hast du schon mal das Internet nach einem bestimmten Produkt abgegrast?"

Journal Prompts

Beschreibe eine friedliche Szene auf einem Bauernhof. Benutze das Wort 'grasen' mindestens zweimal.

Warum ist es für die Umwelt wichtig, dass Tiere auf natürlichen Wiesen grasen?

Erzähle von einem Moment, in dem du das Gefühl hattest, das ganze Internet nach einer Information abgrasen zu müssen.

Wie verändert sich die Atmosphäre einer Landschaft, wenn man grasende Tiere sieht?

Stell dir vor, du bist ein Schaf auf einer Alm. Was siehst und fühlst du beim Grasen?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, it is considered incorrect and potentially rude. If you are snacking, use 'naschen' or 'snacken'. Only use the prefixed 'abgrasen' for humans metaphorically.

It is a weak verb. It follows a regular pattern: grasen, graste, hat gegrast.

'Grasen' is the simple act of eating grass. 'Abgrasen' means to graze an area until it's bare or to search an area thoroughly.

Usually 'auf' (auf der Wiese) or 'an' (am Waldrand). 'In' is also possible (in der Natur).

No, only to herbivores that eat grass, like cows, sheep, horses, and deer.

No, you should say 'Ich grase das Buch nach Informationen ab'.

Rarely, unless there are sheep keeping the grass short in a park or on a dike.

The most common noun is 'das Grasen' (the act of grazing) or 'die Grasung' (more technical).

Usually not. If they eat hay in a barn, it's 'fressen'. 'Grasen' implies fresh grass in a field.

Yes, especially in environmental or agricultural reports.