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German Phrase

Ich laufe gern draußen.

/ɪç ˈlaʊ̯fə ɡɛʁn ˈdʁaʊ̯sn̩/
Meaning"I like to run outside."
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Meaning

Literally ‘I run gladly outside’, i.e., ‘I like to run outdoors.’ The sentence combines a personal preference (gern) with an activity (laufen) and a location (draußen).

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When to use

Use this phrase when talking about your hobbies, fitness routine, or any situation where you want to express that you enjoy running outside, such as during a conversation about weekend plans or health habits.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Ichlaufegerndraußen

1

Personal Pronoun (Ich)

Subject pronoun for the first person singular; always capitalised in German.

2

Verb (laufen) – Present Tense

‘laufen’ means ‘to run’ (or ‘to walk’ in some contexts). Conjugated as ‘laufe’ for ‘ich’.

3

Adverb (gern/gerne)

Expresses enjoyment or preference; can be placed before or after the verb.

4

Adverb of Place (draußen)

Means ‘outside’ or ‘outdoors’; used to describe where an action takes place.

🗨In Conversation

A

Was machst du gern in deiner Freizeit?

What do you like to do in your free time?

Ich laufe gern draußen.

I like to run outdoors.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Ich laufen gern draußen.

    The verb must be conjugated to match the subject ‘ich’. Use ‘laufe’, not the infinitive.

  • Ich laufe gern drinnen.

    ‘drinnen’ means ‘inside’; it changes the meaning completely.

  • Gern draußen laufe ich.

    Word order sounds unnatural; keep the verb in second position.

↔Alternatives

  • Ich jogge gern im Freien.

    I like to jog outdoors.

  • Ich laufe gerne draußen.

    I like to run outside.

  • Ich laufe oft draußen.

    I often run outside.

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Cultural Tip

Both ‘gern’ and ‘gerne’ are correct; ‘gerne’ is slightly more formal, while ‘gern’ feels a bit more casual. In German, ‘laufen’ can also mean ‘to walk’, so context matters – when you want to stress running, you can say ‘joggen’ or add ‘schnell’. Also, Germans love outdoor activities, especially in the summer, so this phrase will sound natural in many casual conversations.