SpeeekDownload on the App Store
Back to Social Gatherings

German Phrase

Leg es auf den Esstisch.

/lɛk ɛs aʊf deːn ˈɛs.tɪʃ/
Meaning"Put it on the dining table."
💡

Meaning

The sentence is a direct, informal command telling someone to put an object onto the dining table. It uses the du‑imperative, a neutral pronoun, and a motion‑indicating preposition.

🎯

When to use

Use this phrase when you want to ask a friend, family member, or colleague to place something on the dining table – for example after cooking, when setting the table, or while cleaning up.

✦Grammar Breakdown

LegesaufdenEsstisch.

1

Imperative (du) of legen

‘Leg’ is the singular informal imperative of the verb ‘legen’ (to place). It is used when speaking to one person you know well.

2

Accusative pronoun ‘es’

‘es’ is the neuter accusative pronoun referring to the object that is being placed.

3

Two‑way preposition ‘auf’ + Accusative

‘auf’ can govern either dative or accusative. With a motion verb like ‘legen’, it takes the accusative case, indicating direction.

4

Masculine noun in Accusative

‘Esstisch’ is masculine; in the accusative it takes the article ‘den’.

5

Compound noun ‘Esstisch’

‘Ess‑’ (eating) + ‘Tisch’ (table) forms a common compound meaning ‘dining table’.

🗨In Conversation

A

Kannst du das Buch bitte hier hinlegen?

Can you please put the book here?

Leg es auf den Esstisch.

Put it on the dining table.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Legt es auf den Esstisch.

    ‘Legt’ is the third‑person plural imperative (or present tense) and does not match the singular ‘du’ command.

  • Leg es auf dem Esstisch.

    Using dative ‘dem’ would indicate location, not motion. The sentence expresses movement, so accusative ‘den’ is required.

  • Lege es auf den Esstisch.

    ‘Lege’ is the first‑person singular present (I place) and cannot be used as a command to another person.

↔Alternatives

  • Stell es auf den Esstisch.

    Place it on the dining table.

  • Lege es auf den Esstisch.

    Lay it on the dining table.

  • Bitte lege es auf den Esstisch.

    Please put it on the dining table.

de

Cultural Tip

In German, ‘legen’ is used for flat or horizontal objects, while ‘stellen’ is used for upright items. The informal du‑imperative (Leg) is fine with friends or family; with strangers or in a professional setting you would say ‘Legen Sie es auf den Esstisch.’ Also, many German homes have a dedicated ‘Esstisch’ that is used for meals and often for informal gatherings.