01
erlegen
to kill
To kill an animal while hunting, usually with a shot.
example
Der Jäger hat einen großen Hirsch erlegt.
The hunter killed a large stag.
erlegen
to kill / pay
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Erlegen' (to kill / pay) is an inseparable verb; the prefix 'er-' is never separated from the stem. This prefix often points to the successful completion or result of an action, which fits both meanings.
EXAMPLE
Er hat den Betrag vollständig erlegt.
He paid the amount in full.
Context clue
The meaning is easy to recognize from the object. If the object is an animal, e.g. 'ein Reh' (a deer) or 'ein Wildschwein' (a wild boar), it means 'to hunt and kill'. If the object is a sum of money, e.g. 'eine Gebühr' (a fee) or 'eine Strafe' (a fine/penalty), it means 'to pay'.
EXAMPLE
Die Jägerin erlegte einen Keiler.
The huntress killed a boar.
Register and style
This word belongs to hunting language. It is used exclusively for killing wild animals while hunting, not for slaughtering farm animals or killing animals in other situations.
EXAMPLE
In diesem Revier dürfen nur zwei Hirsche pro Jahr erlegt werden.
In this hunting area, only two stags may be killed per year.
Register and style
In the meaning 'bezahlen' (to pay), 'erlegen' (to pay) is very formal and is used mainly in administrative or legal language. In normal everyday speech, the word is uncommon.
EXAMPLE
Der Käufer hat die vereinbarte Kaution fristgerecht erlegt.
The buyer paid the agreed deposit on time.
Compare with
erlegen vs bezahlen
to pay
'bezahlen' and 'erlegen' can both mean that someone pays an amount of money. 'bezahlen' is the normal everyday word: you pay a bill, a ticket, or for shopping. 'erlegen' in the sense of 'paying an amount of money' is formal and somewhat outdated. You are more likely to find it in fixed or official phrases, for example with fees or fines. Important: 'erlegen' also has another meaning in hunting, which is not meant here. For normal conversations, 'bezahlen' is almost always more natural.
erlegen
Vor der Anmeldung musste er eine Gebühr erlegen.
Before registering, he had to pay a fee.
bezahlen
Meine Mutter bezahlt den Einkauf an der Kasse.
My mother pays for the groceries at the checkout.
In real life
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