anlegen
to invest
To invest money in such a way that it brings interest or profit.
EXAMPLE
Er hat sein Erspartes gewinnbringend in Aktien angelegt.
He invested his savings profitably in stocks.
anlegen
to invest / create / dock
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Meanings
anlegen
to create
To create, set up, or design something according to a plan, for example a garden, a list, or a user account.
EXAMPLE
Könntest du für das neue Projekt bitte einen Ordner anlegen?
Could you please create a folder for the new project?
sich anlegen mit
to mess with
To start an argument or confrontation with someone; to provoke someone.
EXAMPLE
Mit ihm solltest du dich besser nicht anlegen, er ist der Chef.
You'd better not mess with him; he's the boss.
anlegen
to dock
To moor a ship or boat at the shore or at a landing stage.
EXAMPLE
Die Fähre nach Amrum legt in wenigen Minuten an.
The ferry to Amrum docks in a few minutes.
anlegen
to put on
To bring something onto the body or a surface, for example clothing, jewelry, or a bandage.
EXAMPLE
Der Sanitäter legte dem Verletzten einen Druckverband an.
The paramedic put a pressure bandage on the injured person.
anlegen
to shoulder
To bring a firearm into position in order to aim at a target.
EXAMPLE
Der Jäger legte das Gewehr an und zielte auf den Hirsch.
The hunter shouldered the rifle and aimed at the deer.
einen Maßstab anlegen
to apply a standard
To use a particular criterion or standard to judge something.
EXAMPLE
Wenn man denselben strengen Maßstab an alle Kandidaten anlegt, war seine Leistung die beste.
If you apply the same strict standard to all candidates, his performance was the best.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Anlegen' is a separable verb. The prefix 'an-' comes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses or in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Sie legt einen neuen Garten an.
She creates a new garden.
Word structure
The verb consists of 'an-' and 'legen' (to lay, to put). The basic idea is to bring or position something in a place. This idea appears in many meanings, for example investing money, designing a garden, or mooring a ship at the shore.
EXAMPLE
Der Gärtner legt ein neues Blumenbeet an.
The gardener creates a new flower bed.
Typical collocations: money
In the financial meaning, the object is almost always money or an investment. Typical combinations are 'Geld anlegen' (to invest money), 'Kapital anlegen' (to invest capital), 'Ersparnisse anlegen' (to invest savings), or 'in Aktien anlegen' (to invest in stocks).
EXAMPLE
Sie möchte ihr Geld sicher anlegen.
She wants to invest her money safely.
Typical collocations: creating
In the meaning 'erstellen' (to create) or 'einrichten' (to set up), the objects are things that get a structure. Common combinations are 'einen Garten anlegen' (to create a garden), 'eine Liste anlegen' (to create a list), or 'ein Benutzerkonto anlegen' (to create a user account).
EXAMPLE
Für die Party müssen wir eine Gästeliste anlegen.
For the party, we need to create a guest list.
Fixed construction
The expression 'sich mit jemandem anlegen' (to mess with someone) is reflexive and always uses the preposition 'mit' followed by the dative. It means to provoke an argument.
EXAMPLE
Leg dich besser nicht mit ihm an!
You'd better not mess with him!
Use without an object
When it is about ships, 'anlegen' (to dock) is often used without a direct object. The subject is then the ship or boat.
EXAMPLE
Das große Kreuzfahrtschiff legt gerade im Hafen an.
The large cruise ship is docking in the harbor right now.
Typical collocations: body
In the meaning 'etwas an den Körper bringen' (to put something on the body), the objects are often things like 'einen Verband' (a bandage), 'den Sicherheitsgurt' (the seat belt), or 'Schmuck' (jewelry).
EXAMPLE
Bitte legen Sie jetzt den Sicherheitsgurt an.
Please fasten your seat belt now.
Fixed expression
The phrase 'einen Maßstab anlegen' (to apply a standard) is a fixed expression. It means that you judge something according to a particular criterion.
EXAMPLE
Man kann nicht an alle den gleichen Maßstab anlegen.
You cannot apply the same standard to everyone.
Compare with
eröffnenöffneneinrichtenlandeninvestierenfestlegenzielenzusammenstellenparkenansetzenplatzierenveranlagenfestmachenanschnallen
anlegen vs eröffnen
to open
Both verbs can be used when setting up a new account. „Eröffnen“ generally refers to the official start of an account relationship with a bank or institution, while „anlegen“ highlights the planned setup of a user account. Use „eröffnen“ for a bank account and „anlegen“ for the technical setup.
anlegen
Für das Onlineportal muss ich zuerst ein Benutzerkonto anlegen.
I first have to create a user account for the online portal.
eröffnen
Ich möchte bei dieser Bank ein neues Girokonto eröffnen.
I would like to open a new checking account at this bank.
In real life
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