Deutschable
Get courses
Back to the blog Random article

How do you say song in German?

Song in German

It’s what plays on the radio, gets stuck in your head, or brings back a memory. In German, it’s der Song. This is your German Word of the Day - modern, musical, and straight from English, with a distinct pop-culture vibe.

The noun Song means song, especially in the context of pop, rock, hip-hop, or international music. It’s one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German, and while Lied is the traditional German word for “song,” Song is common in pop and rock, but Lied can also describe modern songs.

It’s a masculine noun, so we say der Song (want to get gender right without guessing? Our video lesson will make it clear and easy to remember).

Pronunciation

Song is pronounced [song]

  • The ng is the single nasal sound in sing, without a separate g; the short German o is only roughly like American song.

  • One syllable

  • Stress is on the whole word: Song

Example sentences

  • Kennst du den neuen Song von ihr?Do you know her new song?

  • Dieser Song ist total eingängig.This song is super catchy.

  • Ich höre den Song gerade in Dauerschleife.I’m listening to the song on repeat right now.

Nuance and usage tips

🎵 Use der Song for:

  • Modern music (pop, rock, rap, EDM, indie, etc.)

  • English-language music

  • Song titles, streaming platforms, charts

🎼 Das Lied can refer to songs generally, including modern songs. Common contexts include:

  • Traditional songs

  • Children’s songs

  • Classical or poetic music

🎤 Typical phrases:

  • einen Song schreiben - to write a song

  • einen Song performen - to perform a song

  • ein Song geht viral - a song goes viral

  • der Lieblingssong - favorite song

  • der Titelsong - theme song

How does this word come up in real conversations?

  • “Ich liebe diesen Song - er erinnert mich an den Sommer.”I love this song - it reminds me of summer.

  • “Weißt du, wie der Song heißt?”Do you know what the song is called?

  • “Der Songtext ist richtig tiefgründig.”The lyrics are really deep.

Sample Dialogue (Beginner Level)

Mira: Was hörst du da?Tobi: Einen neuen Song von Cro.Mira: Ist der gut?Tobi: Total! Ich schick dir den Link.

Translation:Mira: What are you listening to?Tobi: A new song by Cro.Mira: Is it good?Tobi: Totally! I’ll send you the link.

Grammatical case examples

Nominative:Der Song läuft überall im Radio.The song is playing everywhere on the radio.

Accusative:Ich hab den Song sofort erkannt.I recognized the song immediately.

Dative:Mit dem Song wurde sie berühmt.She became famous with that song.

Genitive:Der Refrain des Songs bleibt im Kopf.The chorus of the song sticks in your head.

Word variations and language tidbits

  • Songtext - song lyrics

  • Songwriter - songwriter

  • Songsammlung - song collection

  • Sommerhit / Sommer-Song - summer hit

  • Lovesong / Herzschmerz-Song - love song / heartbreak song

🎧 Fun fact: Song is common in pop and rock music, while Lied is a broader German word. Lied remains a general German word for a song, including modern songs; it is especially common in poetry, children’s music and classical settings such as Schubert-Lieder.

📘 Duden entry: https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Song🎥 Want to turn your German learning into a hit? Our free video course teaches the 1000 most useful German nouns - with structure, examples, and rhythm you’ll remember.

Ready for more German Words of the Day?Do you know what Situation means? Many a good Song is born out of one.And what about Schulden? Some Songs are written in the middle of those too.

Free download

Get the 1000 Most Frequently Used German Nouns ebook - free.

Leave your email and I’ll send you a link to the ebook. You’ll also get my occasional German-learning tips. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Keep reading.

Comments

Loading comments…

Comments appear after approval.