Running errands, window shopping, grabbing bread on the way home — if you're in a German-speaking country, you’ll hear this word almost daily. Knowing how to say store in German is essential for navigating real-life situations.
The word is Laden — pronounced like “LAH-den” (the first syllable stressed, and the "a" like in "father"). It’s short, punchy, and practical.
Laden is masculine, so it’s der Laden. The plural is die Läden. If you’re still learning gender patterns, my gender video lesson will help make them easy to remember.
It’s also one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German, and once you know it, you’ll notice it everywhere.
Examples in all four cases:
Nominative:
Der Laden macht um acht Uhr auf.
The store opens at eight o’clock.
Accusative:
Ich gehe in den Laden um Milch zu kaufen.
I’m going to the store to buy milk.
Dative:
Sie arbeitet in dem Laden nebenan.
She works in the store next door.
Genitive:
Die Fenster des Ladens sind schmutzig.
The store’s windows are dirty.
Real-World Tips for Learners
In everyday conversation, Laden usually refers to any small or independent store — like a Buchladen (bookstore), Bioladen (organic grocery), or Handyladen (phone shop). If you're going to a big supermarket or chain, people might say Supermarkt or use the brand name directly, but Laden is more general and more flexible.
Interestingly, Laden is also used in slang and humor to refer to places loosely — someone might say Ich liebe diesen Laden even if they’re talking about a favorite café, bar, or quirky store. It can carry affection, routine, or even sarcasm, depending on tone.
There’s also a separate verb: laden means “to load.” So if you’re talking about eine Datei laden (to load a file) or den Wagen laden (to load the car), you’re using the verb, not the noun. They sound the same but work differently in context.
In the plural, Läden means “stores” — and it’s extremely common to hear Die Läden sind zu (The stores are closed), especially in conversations about German opening hours, which are stricter than in many other countries. So Laden is useful not just for nouns, but for navigating the culture around them.
Beginner dialogue using Laden:
A: Weißt du, wann der Laden schließt?
B: Um sieben, glaube ich.
A: Do you know when the store closes?
B: At seven, I think.
Now it’s your turn. Think of your answer and say it aloud using Laden.
“Welcher Laden in deiner Stadt ist dein Lieblingsladen — und warum?”
Which store in your town is your favorite — and why?
Say your answer out loud in German and be sure to include Laden in the sentence.
German Word of the Day
Now you know how to say store in German — and how der Laden opens the door to real conversation, culture, and daily life.
Download the free illustrated PDF of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German and keep building your vocabulary one useful word at a time.
Ready for more German Words of the Day?
Check out Küche — and explore the language of food and home.
Or revisit Kurs — and stay on track with study, money, and direction.