01
sich ansiedeln
to settle
To take up a new residence in a particular place and become settled there.
example
Nach dem Krieg siedelten sich viele Flüchtlinge in dieser Region an.
After the war, many refugees settled in this region.
ansiedeln
to settle / establish
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Ansiedeln' (to settle / establish) is a separable verb. The prefix 'an' comes at the end in a main clause; in subordinate clauses and in the infinitive, it remains attached to the verb.
EXAMPLE
Die Firma siedelt viele neue Mitarbeiter in der Stadt an.
The company is settling many new employees in the city.
Word family
The verb 'ansiedeln' (to settle / establish) belongs to the word family around 'siedeln' (to settle, live). Related words are 'die Siedlung' (a settlement, a group of houses) and 'der Siedler' (a settler, a person who lives in a new place).
EXAMPLE
Die ersten Siedler bauten kleine Holzhäuser.
The first settlers built small wooden houses.
Reflexive use
When people or animals begin living in a new place, the verb is used reflexively: 'sich ansiedeln' (to settle). The person or animal is then the subject of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Viele junge Familien siedeln sich am Stadtrand an.
Many young families settle on the outskirts of the city.
Transitive use
When the meaning is to deliberately establish companies or animal species in a place, the verb is used transitively (with an accusative object). The subject is the person or institution controlling this process.
EXAMPLE
Die Regierung will gezielt neue Industrien in der Region ansiedeln.
The government wants to deliberately establish new industries in the region.
Context clue
In this meaning, the accusative object is always something creative, such as a 'Roman' (novel), a 'Film' (film), or a 'Geschichte' (story). The place or time is usually given with the preposition 'in' (+ dative).
EXAMPLE
Die Regisseurin siedelt die Handlung im mittelalterlichen Frankreich an.
The director sets the plot in medieval France.
Compare with
ansiedeln vs gründen
to found / be based on
'gründen' and 'ansiedeln' can both have to do with the beginning of something in a place. 'gründen' means that something new is created, for example a company or organization. 'ansiedeln' emphasizes the location: a company, industry, or animal species is brought to a specific place or established there. This can also be something that already existed before. The words can be confused when talking about new businesses. If the founding of the company is important, you say 'gründen'. If the location is important, you say 'ansiedeln'.
ansiedeln
Die Stadt möchte neue Unternehmen im alten Industriegebiet ansiedeln.
The city wants to establish new companies in the old industrial area.
gründen
Meine Mutter gründet einen Verein für Nachbarschaftshilfe.
My mother is founding an association for neighborhood support.
In real life
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