läufst

Läufst is the second-person singular present indicative form of the German verb laufen, meaning to run. It is used with the informal singular pronoun du and can also convey moving by running or operating in some contexts.

Form and usage: In the present tense the full conjugation is ich laufe, du läufst, er/sie/es läuft, wir laufen, ihr lauft, sie laufen. The du form läufst shows a vowel change (the stem vowel umlaut), a characteristic feature of this verb. Läuft is used in statements and questions about someone who is currently running, such as Du läufst jeden Morgen im Park.

Pronunciation: Läufst is pronounced roughly as [ˈlɔɪ̯fst], with the diphthong äu corresponding to the English roughly “oi” and a final [fst] cluster.

Examples: Du läufst jeden Morgen durch den Park. Warum läufst du so schnell?

Grammar notes: For the perfect tense, the common form is du bist gelaufen (you have run). Läufen forms the basis for related expressions such as mitlaufen (to run along, to join someone in running).

Etymology and related forms: Läufen/Laufen comes from the Germanic verb family meaning to run or move; its present-tense forms show regular irregularities in vowel quality between ich, du, and er/sie/es. Related forms include ich laufe, er läuft, wir laufen, ihr lauft, sie laufen.