erledigen
to take care of
To bring a task, job, or duty to an end or complete it.
EXAMPLE
Ich muss heute noch einige wichtige E-Mails erledigen.
I still have to take care of some important emails today.
erledigen
to take care of / to finish
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Meanings
sich erledigen
to take care of itself
A problem or matter resolves itself without you having to do anything about it.
EXAMPLE
Warte einfach ab, die Frage wird sich von selbst erledigen.
Just wait and see; the question will take care of itself.
erledigen
to finish off
Colloquial for killing or defeating someone.
EXAMPLE
Der Auftragskiller sollte sein Ziel schnell und unauffällig erledigen.
The hitman was supposed to finish off his target quickly and discreetly.
erledigt sein
to be wiped out
Colloquial for being completely exhausted or tired.
EXAMPLE
Nach der langen Wanderung war ich total erledigt.
After the long hike, I was totally wiped out.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
The prefix 'er-' is inseparable. This means it remains firmly attached to the verb in all sentence forms and is not placed at the end of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Sie erledigt ihre Hausaufgaben immer sofort.
She always takes care of her homework right away.
Word structure
The verb consists of the prefix 'er-', which often indicates a result, and the stem 'ledig', which means 'free'. So 'erledigen' (to take care of/complete) literally means to make something 'free' or 'finished'.
EXAMPLE
Sobald ich diese Aufgabe erledigt habe, habe ich frei.
As soon as I have taken care of this task, I am free.
Typical collocations
In everyday life, 'erledigen' (to take care of/complete) is often combined with tasks and duties. Typical phrases are 'Arbeit erledigen' (to get work done), 'Aufgaben erledigen' (to complete tasks), 'Einkäufe erledigen' (to do shopping), or 'Besorgungen erledigen' (to run errands).
EXAMPLE
Am Samstag muss ich noch ein paar Besorgungen in der Stadt erledigen.
On Saturday, I still have to run a few errands in town.
Reflexive use
The reflexive form 'sich erledigen' (to take care of itself) means that a problem disappears on its own. The subject of the sentence is always the matter or problem, not a person.
EXAMPLE
Das Problem mit dem Drucker hat sich von selbst erledigt.
The problem with the printer took care of itself.
As an adjective for 'tired'
In the form 'erledigt sein' (to be wiped out), the past participle is used like an adjective and means 'completely exhausted'. This use is very common in colloquial language.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem langen Arbeitstag bin ich total erledigt.
After the long workday, I am totally wiped out.
Compare with
machenschaffenabschließenlösenerfüllentötenbeendenausführenbesorgenbearbeitenbesiegenbewältigenfertigstellenabwickelnverrichtenklarmachenabarbeitenabhakenerübrigenentledigen
erledigen vs machen
to do / make
Both verbs can refer to a task. „Machen“ describes the activity in general and does not necessarily say whether it is finished; „erledigen“ emphasizes that the task is completed in full. „Machen“ fits work that is still in progress, while „erledigen“ is appropriate when completion is certain.
erledigen
Ich erledige die Aufgabe noch vor dem Termin.
I’ll finish the task before the deadline.
machen
Ich mache die Aufgabe gerade am Schreibtisch.
I’m doing the task at my desk right now.
In real life
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