01
einfrieren
to freeze
To preserve food by cooling it to temperatures below freezing point.
example
Wir frieren im Sommer immer frische Beeren für den Winter ein.
In summer, we always freeze fresh berries for the winter.
einfrieren
to freeze
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Einfrieren' (to freeze) is a separable verb. The prefix 'ein-' goes at the end in a main clause. In the infinitive with 'zu', 'zu' is placed between the prefix and the verb: 'einzufrieren' (to freeze).
EXAMPLE
Ich friere die Suppe für später ein.
I am freezing the soup for later.
Perfect tense with 'sein' or 'haben'
The auxiliary verb depends on the meaning. When 'einfrieren' (to freeze) is an active action with an accusative object, you use 'haben'. If it describes a change of state of the subject, you use 'sein'.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe die Reste vom Abendessen eingefroren.
I froze the leftovers from dinner.
Figurative meaning (business)
In a figurative sense, 'einfrieren' (to freeze) means to stop something at its current state. This meaning is often found in news and business texts in connection with finances, salaries, or prices.
EXAMPLE
Die Bank hat die Konten der verdächtigen Firma eingefroren.
The bank froze the accounts of the suspicious company.
Figurative meaning (IT)
In computer language, 'einfrieren' (to freeze) means that a program or the whole system no longer responds. The auxiliary verb for this change of state is 'sein'.
EXAMPLE
Mein Programm ist eingefroren, als ich die Datei speichern wollte.
My program froze when I tried to save the file.
Meaning with people
When a person 'einfriert' (freezes), it means they suddenly stop moving because of fear or surprise. The auxiliary verb for this process is always 'sein'.
EXAMPLE
Als er die Gestalt im Dunkeln sah, ist er vor Angst eingefroren.
When he saw the figure in the dark, he froze with fear.
Compare with
einfrieren vs hängen
to hang
'hängen' and 'einfrieren' can both mean in IT that a computer or program no longer responds. 'hängen' is very colloquial and general: you simply say that something is not continuing. 'einfrieren' often describes the image or screen stopping, as if everything were fixed in place. The words can easily be confused because the result is similar. In everyday speech, people often say 'Der Computer hängt' (the computer has frozen). 'Der Bildschirm friert ein' (the screen freezes) sounds more precise when the image suddenly stops.
einfrieren
Vor dem Termin friert der Bildschirm in der Videokonferenz ein.
Before the appointment, the screen freezes during the video conference.
hängen
Mein Computer hängt jedes Mal, wenn ich das große Foto öffne.
My computer freezes every time I open the large photo.
In real life
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