21 December 2025
How do you say Camp in German?
Whether you’re talking about a scout trip, a refugee site, or a warehouse full of goods - the word camp in German opens up more than you’d expect. It’s tied to nature, logistics, and even some heavy historical contexts.
The word is Lager, pronounced /ˈlaːɡɐ/. The a is long, the g is hard as in “go,” and the ending -er is unstressed, often sounding like a brief “uh.” Its meaning depends on context.
Lager is neuter, so it’s das Lager. The plural is die Lager - the same word, no change in form. To learn how gender and plural patterns work in German nouns, my gender video lesson gives a solid, practical overview.
Lager is one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German, and learning it is especially useful if you’re talking about goods, accommodation, or historical topics.
Examples in all four cases:
Nominative:Das Lager war groß und gut organisiert.The camp was large and well organized.
Accusative:Wir haben das Lager gestern aufgebaut.We set up the camp yesterday.
Dative:Er arbeitet im Lager einer Firma.He works in a company’s warehouse.
Genitive:Die Bedingungen des Lagers waren schwierig.The conditions of the camp were difficult.
Real-World Tips for Learners
The word Lager has multiple common meanings, so learners should pay attention to context. One common meaning is a warehouse or storage area - as in im Lager arbeiten (to work in the warehouse) or Lagerbestand (inventory).
But it also means a camp - especially in compound words like:
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Zeltlager - tent camp
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Flüchtlingslager - refugee camp
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Pfadfinderlager - scout camp
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Sommerlager - summer camp
It can also carry darker connotations in historical contexts. Because of Konzentrationslager (concentration camp), the word can carry heavy historical weight. So while Lager can be neutral or everyday in meaning, it can also evoke strong emotional or political associations.
In industrial and mechanical contexts, Lager even means “bearing” (as in ball bearing - Kugellager). This is less relevant for beginners but worth knowing as your vocabulary grows.
When in doubt: ask yourself - are we talking about a place people stay, a place things are stored, or a historical reference?
Beginner dialogue using Lager:
A: Wo habt ihr geschlafen?B: Im Lager, direkt am Fluss.A: Where did you sleep?B: In the camp, right by the river.
Now it’s your turn. Think of your answer and say it aloud using Lager.
“Warst du schon mal in einem Lager? Was hast du dort gemacht?”Have you ever been in a camp? What did you do there?
Say your answer out loud in German and make sure to use Lager in the sentence.
German Word of the DayNow you know how to say camp in German - and how das Lager carries meanings from summer fun to serious logistics and history.
Download the free illustrated PDF of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German and grow your vocabulary with high-impact words.
Ready for more German Words of the Day?Check out Kontakt - and learn how to stay in touch, literally and figuratively.Or revisit Kopie - for mastering form-filling, emails, and document talk.
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