erden
to ground
To electrically connect something to the ground so that electrical charges can be safely discharged.
EXAMPLE
Der Elektriker erdet das Gehäuse der Maschine.
The electrician grounds the machine's casing.
erden
to ground
erden – erdete – hat geerdet
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Meanings
erden
to ground
To bring someone back down to earth and help them remain realistic.
EXAMPLE
Das Gespräch mit ihrer Familie hat sie wieder geerdet.
Talking to her family grounded her again.
sich erden
to ground oneself
To regain inner calm and a realistic sense of oneself.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem stressigen Arbeitstag erdet sie sich beim Spaziergang.
After her stressful day at work, she grounds herself by going for a walk.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry erden, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Present
| ich | erde |
|---|---|
| du | erdest |
| er/sie/es | erdet |
| wir | erden |
| ihr | erdet |
| sie | erden |
Simple past
| ich | erdete |
|---|---|
| du | erdetest |
| er/sie/es | erdete |
| wir | erdeten |
| ihr | erdetet |
| sie | erdeten |
Perfect
with haben
| ich | habe geerdet |
|---|---|
| du | hast geerdet |
| er/sie/es | hat geerdet |
| wir | haben geerdet |
| ihr | habt geerdet |
| sie | haben geerdet |
Commands
| du | erde! erd! |
|---|---|
| ihr | erdet! |
| Sie | erden Sie! |
Past perfect
| ich | hatte geerdet |
|---|---|
| du | hattest geerdet |
| er/sie/es | hatte geerdet |
| wir | hatten geerdet |
| ihr | hattet geerdet |
| sie | hatten geerdet |
Future
| ich | werde erden |
|---|---|
| du | wirst erden |
| er/sie/es | wird erden |
| wir | werden erden |
| ihr | werdet erden |
| sie | werden erden |
Subjunctive I
| ich | erde |
|---|---|
| du | erdest |
| er/sie/es | erde |
| wir | erden |
| ihr | erdet |
| sie | erden |
Used for reported speech.
Subjunctive II
| ich | erdete |
|---|---|
| du | erdetest |
| er/sie/es | erdete |
| wir | erdeten |
| ihr | erdetet |
| sie | erdeten |
Used for wishes and “would”.
Other forms
| infinitive | erden |
|---|---|
| with zu | zu erden |
| present participle | erdend |
| past participle | geerdet |
Usage tips
Sentence patterns
'Erden' (to ground) can take an accusative object when someone or something is grounded. In the reflexive use, 'sich erden' (to ground oneself) is used; the action then refers back to the person carrying it out.
EXAMPLE
Der Techniker erdet die Metallteile des Geräts.
The technician grounds the metal parts of the device.
Nach dem Streit musste er sich erst einmal erden.
After the argument, he first had to ground himself.
Technical collocations
In the electrical engineering sense, 'erden' (to ground) is frequently used with a casing, system, or device. This use often appears in instructions and technical descriptions.
EXAMPLE
Vor der Reparatur erdet der Fachmann die elektrische Anlage.
Before the repair, the specialist grounds the electrical system.
Das Metallgehäuse muss geerdet werden.
The metal casing must be grounded.
Typical collocations
In the figurative sense, 'erden' (to ground) is often used in the phrase 'jemanden wieder erden' (to ground someone again). It often means that a person starts thinking more realistically again after an exciting or unrealistic phase.
EXAMPLE
Die ehrliche Kritik ihrer Kollegin hat sie wieder geerdet.
Her colleague's honest criticism grounded her again.
Sein Freund erdete ihn nach den übertriebenen Zukunftsplänen.
His friend grounded him after his exaggerated plans for the future.
Reflexive use
When 'erden' (to ground) means 'to find inner calm', it is normally used reflexively with 'sich' (oneself). A subsequent activity or situation that helps someone return to a calm state is often mentioned, such as exercise, nature, or peace and quiet.
EXAMPLE
Beim Gärtnern erdet sie sich nach einem langen Arbeitstag.
Gardening grounds her after a long day at work.
Ein Spaziergang im Wald hilft ihm, sich zu erden.
Going for a walk in the forest helps him ground himself.
In real life
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