Whether you’re reading about King Arthur or calling your favorite footballer a total icon, you’ll want to know how to say legend in German. This word carries drama, history, and admiration — and it’s used in some very modern ways, too.
The word is die Legende, and it’s feminine. The plural is die Legenden. For a quick, helpful guide to articles and gender, my gender video lesson can get you up to speed fast.
Legende is one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German, and while it has ancient roots, it’s very much alive in pop culture, storytelling, and sports commentary.
Examples in all four cases:
Nominative:
Die Legende lebt weiter.
The legend lives on.
Accusative:
Ich kenne die Legende gut.
I know the legend well.
Dative:
Wir glauben der Legende nicht.
We don’t believe the legend.
Genitive:
Der Ursprung der Legende ist unklar.
The origin of the legend is unclear.
Real-World Tips for Learners
The word Legende originally meant a religious or heroic tale — something passed down across generations, often filled with moral lessons or miraculous events. You’ll still find this meaning in literature and documentaries, especially in titles like Die Legende von… (The Legend of…).
But in modern German, Legende has grown into a powerful term for any story worth retelling — or any person worthy of admiration. Calling someone eine Legende is high praise, especially in sports, music, or entertainment. Think: Er ist eine Fußball-Legende — “He’s a football legend.”
You’ll also see Legende used in ironic or humorous ways, to describe people who made a strong impression — not always positively. For example: Sie war eine Legende an der Bar. That might mean she drank more than anyone else that night.
One thing to keep in mind: Legende can also mean “caption” or “key” in a diagram or chart. So if you’re working with graphs, you might be asked: Wo ist die Legende? — meaning “Where’s the legend (i.e., label or key)?”
All of this makes Legende a high-context word. Learners will benefit from noticing how it’s used — reverently, playfully, historically, or even academically. Just like in English, it walks the line between fact and fiction, admiration and exaggeration.
Beginner dialogue using Legende:
A: Kennst du die Legende von Robin Hood?
B: Ja! Er hat von den Reichen genommen und den Armen gegeben.
A: Do you know the legend of Robin Hood?
B: Yes! He took from the rich and gave to the poor.
Now it’s your turn. Think of your answer and say it aloud using Legende.
“Wer ist für dich eine Legende — und warum?”
Who is a legend to you — and why?
Say your answer aloud in German, and be sure to include Legende in the sentence.
German Word of the Day
Now you know how to say legend in German — and how die Legende can help you tell powerful stories, show admiration, or describe something unforgettable.
Download the free illustrated PDF of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German and keep learning high-impact, high-frequency vocabulary.
Ready for more German Words of the Day?
Check out Leib — and explore poetic and heartfelt language.
Or revisit Leid — and see how emotion is expressed in everyday phrases.
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