Some German words carry double meanings — and vice in German is a great example. It’s a short, strong word that can describe moral weakness… or a massive truck.
The German noun is das Laster. It’s neuter, and the plural is die Laster (identical in form). When you see ein Laster, it could mean a bad habit — or a heavy-duty vehicle. That makes it one of those words where context is key.
Need help keeping articles and gender straight? My gender video lesson will help you lock it all in.
Laster is one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German and offers more than one route into meaningful conversation.
Examples in all four cases:
Nominative:
Das Laster steht vor der Tür.
The truck is parked outside.
Das Laster ist schwer loszuwerden.
The vice is hard to shake.
Accusative:
Ich sehe das Laster auf der Straße.
I see the truck on the road.
Er versucht, sein Laster aufzugeben.
He's trying to give up his vice.
Dative:
Ich fahre mit dem Laster zur Baustelle.
I’m driving to the construction site with the truck.
Sie hilft ihm bei dem Laster.
She helps him with the bad habit.
Genitive:
Die Reifen des Lasters sind neu.
The truck’s tires are new.
Die Folgen des Lasters sind spürbar.
The consequences of the vice are noticeable.
Where you’ll hear Laster:
ein geheimes Laster – a secret vice
ein kleines Laster – a guilty pleasure
ein schweres Laster – a serious habit
mit dem Laster fahren – to drive a lorry
sein einziges Laster ist Schokolade – his only vice is chocolate
Common verbs: haben (have), aufgeben (give up), bekämpfen (fight), verstecken (hide), gestehen (confess)
Adjectives: alt, geheim, unangenehm, klein, verzeihlich
Note: While das Laster means vice, the closely related word der Laster is sometimes used for trucks in casual speech, especially in southern Germany and Austria — although officially, der Lastwagen is more precise.
Beginner dialogue using Laster:
A: Hast du ein Laster?
B: Leider ja. Ich esse zu viele Chips!
A: Do you have a vice?
B: Unfortunately, yes. I eat too many chips!
Now it’s your turn. Think of your answer and say it aloud using Laster.
“Was ist ein kleines Laster von dir — und warum ist es schwer, damit aufzuhören?”
What’s a small vice of yours — and why is it hard to stop?
Let yourself speak freely — this is where language becomes real.
German Word of the Day
Now you know how to say vice in German — and how das Laster can point to habits, indulgences, or engines on wheels.
Download the free illustrated PDF of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German to build your expressive power one word at a time.
Ready for more German Words of the Day?
Check out Macht — and explore how influence and control work in German.
Or revisit Liebling — for expressions of love and preference.