Laboratory in German - A Word Full of Discovery

Whether it’s school chemistry, medical testing, or mad science fiction, this word pops up all the time - so learning how to say laboratory in German is more useful than you might think.

The word is Labor, pronounced /laˈboːɐ̯/, with a long o and stress on the second syllable in standard German in Germany. Swiss usage can also stress the first syllable. English “labor,” meaning work, is Arbeit; German Labor means laboratory.

Labor is neuter, so it’s das Labor. The plural is die Labore; die Labors is also accepted. If gender still feels like a mystery, my gender video lesson will make it click in no time.

Labor is one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German, and it’s handy in both academic and real-world German.

Examples in all four cases:

Nominative:Das Labor ist im dritten Stock.The laboratory is on the third floor.

Accusative:Wir besuchen das Labor morgen.We’re visiting the laboratory tomorrow.

Dative:Ich arbeite oft im Labor.I often work in the laboratory.

Genitive:Die Geräte des Labors sind sehr modern.The equipment of the laboratory is very modern.

Real-World Tips for Learners

In German, Labor is used not just in scientific settings, but also in medicine, testing, and even art.

• medizinisches Labor - medical laboratory

• Forschungslabor - research lab

• Blut ins Labor schicken - to send blood to the lab

• im Labor arbeiten - to work in the lab

One useful expression is:Die Ergebnisse kommen aus dem Labor.The results are coming from the lab.