01
anliegend
close-fitting
Fitting closely to the body; not wide or loose. Mostly used for clothing.
example
Sie trug ein eng anliegendes, schwarzes Kleid.
She wore a close-fitting black dress.
anliegend
close-fitting / adjacent / attached
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word structure
'Anliegend' (close-fitting/adjacent/attached) is the present participle of the verb 'anliegen' (to lie against; to adjoin; to be enclosed). The meanings of the adjective can be derived from it: clothing that 'am Körper anliegt' (fits closely to the body), a plot of land that 'an ein anderes anliegt' (borders another one), or a document that 'einem Brief anliegt' (is enclosed with a letter).
EXAMPLE
Das T-Shirt liegt sehr eng an.
The T-shirt fits very tightly.
Context clues
The meaning becomes clear from the noun. In connection with clothing, it means 'eng sitzend' (close-fitting). With plots of land or places, it means 'benachbart' (adjacent). In letters or emails, it means 'beigefügt' (attached/enclosed).
EXAMPLE
Sie kaufte ein eng anliegendes Top.
She bought a close-fitting top.
Register
In the meaning 'beigefügt' (attached/enclosed), 'anliegend' (attached) is used mainly in formal written language, especially in business letters and emails. It sounds more formal and somewhat detached.
EXAMPLE
Die anliegende Rechnung bitten wir Sie, innerhalb von 14 Tagen zu begleichen.
We kindly ask you to pay the attached invoice within 14 days.
Fixed expression
In formal correspondence, the phrasing 'Anliegend erhalten Sie ...' (Please find attached ...) or 'Anliegend übersenden wir Ihnen ...' (We are sending you attached ...) is often used. Here, 'anliegend' stands at the beginning of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Anliegend erhalten Sie die gewünschten Unterlagen.
Please find attached the requested documents.
Compare with
anliegend vs weit
far / wide
'weit' and 'anliegend' are opposites when talking about clothing. 'weit' describes clothing that fits loosely and leaves plenty of room. 'anliegend' describes clothing that fits closely to the body. This difference is especially important with pants, dresses, T-shirts, or jackets. If clothing is meant to be comfortable and loose, you would more likely say 'weit'. If the shape of the body is visible or the fabric lies close to the body, you say 'anliegend'.
anliegend
Das anliegende Kleid passt gut zur Feier, ist aber nicht sehr bequem.
The close-fitting dress is good for the celebration, but it is not very comfortable.
weit
Für die lange Fahrt zieht Max eine weite Hose an.
For the long trip, Max puts on a loose pair of pants.
In real life
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