entleeren
to empty
To remove all the contents from a container, room, or vessel so that it is empty.
EXAMPLE
Bitte entleeren Sie den Papierkorb, er ist ganz voll.
Please empty the wastepaper basket; it's completely full.
entleeren
to empty
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Meanings
sich entleeren
to empty
In a medical or formal context, to empty the bladder or bowel; to urinate or have a bowel movement.
EXAMPLE
Der Patient hatte Schwierigkeiten, seine Blase vollständig zu entleeren.
The patient had difficulty emptying his bladder completely.
Usage tips
Word structure
The verb is made up of the prefix 'ent-' and the adjective 'leer' (empty). The prefix 'ent-' here means 'away' or 'remove', so 'entleeren' (to empty) literally means 'to make empty'.
EXAMPLE
Vor dem Urlaub müssen wir den Kühlschrank komplett entleeren.
Before the vacation, we have to empty the refrigerator completely.
Inseparable verb
'Entleeren' (to empty) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'ent-' stays firmly attached to the verb in all tenses and sentence constructions and is not stressed.
EXAMPLE
Er hat die Flasche mit einem Zug entleert.
He emptied the bottle in one gulp.
Typical collocations
This meaning is often used with containers or rooms. Typical objects are: 'den Mülleimer entleeren' (to empty the trash can), 'eine Flasche entleeren' (to empty a bottle), 'den Tank entleeren' (to empty the tank), or 'den Speicher (eines Geräts) entleeren' (to empty/clear the memory of a device).
EXAMPLE
Könntest du bitte den Aschenbecher entleeren?
Could you please empty the ashtray?
Register and use
The reflexive form 'sich entleeren' (to empty oneself/to void) is very formal and is used mainly in medicine or biology. In everyday language, people use other verbs to talk about going to the toilet.
EXAMPLE
Vor der Untersuchung muss sich der Darm vollständig entleeren.
Before the examination, the bowel must empty completely.
Compare with
entleeren vs leeren
to empty
Both verbs can express the complete removal of the contents. Leeren is the natural, simple choice in everyday language, while entleeren often makes the same process sound more factual or formal. In a normal conversation, leeren is usually appropriate; in a formal instruction, entleeren may be a better choice.
entleeren
Bitte entleeren Sie den Wassertank vor der Wartung.
Please empty the water tank before maintenance.
leeren
Wir leeren den Wassertank vor der Reise.
We are emptying the water tank before the trip.
In real life
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