Whether it’s school chemistry, medical testing, or mad science fiction, this word pops up all the time — so learning how to say laboratory in German is more useful than you might think.
The word is Labor — pronounced “lah-BOHR” (with the stress on the second syllable, and a clear open o).
Labor is neuter, so it’s das Labor. The plural is die Labore. If gender still feels like a mystery, my gender video lesson will make it click in no time.
Labor is one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German, and it’s handy in both academic and real-world German.
Examples in all four cases:
Nominative:
Das Labor ist im dritten Stock.
The laboratory is on the third floor.
Accusative:
Wir besuchen das Labor morgen.
We’re visiting the laboratory tomorrow.
Dative:
Ich arbeite oft in dem Labor.
I often work in the laboratory.
Genitive:
Die Geräte des Labors sind sehr modern.
The equipment of the laboratory is very modern.
Real-World Tips for Learners
In German, Labor is used not just in scientific settings, but also in medicine, testing, and even art.
medizinisches Labor – medical laboratory
Forschungslabor – research lab
Blut ins Labor schicken – to send blood to the lab
im Labor arbeiten – to work in the lab
One useful expression is:
Die Ergebnisse kommen aus dem Labor.
The results are coming from the lab.
In some contexts, especially in experimental art or music, Labor can be used metaphorically:
Ein Labor für neue Ideen – a lab for new ideas.
This usage keeps the word feeling modern and creative, even outside of test tubes and microscopes.
The related verb is analysieren (to analyze), and it often goes hand-in-hand with lab work.
Beginner dialogue using Labor:
A: Wo arbeitest du jetzt?
B: In einem Labor in Berlin.
A: Where do you work now?
B: In a lab in Berlin.
Now it’s your turn. Think of your answer and say it aloud using Labor.
“In welchem Labor würdest du gern einmal arbeiten – und warum?”
In which laboratory would you like to work one day — and why?
Say your answer out loud in German and include Labor in the sentence.
German Word of the Day
Now you know how to say laboratory in German — and how das Labor plays a central role in science, diagnostics, and even metaphorical spaces of creativity.
Download the free illustrated PDF of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German and keep your learning systematic and strong.
Ready for more German Words of the Day?
Check out Lampe — and light up your practical vocabulary.
Or revisit Ladung — perfect for learning how to carry and describe weight, energy, and legal mail.