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
erlegen
to pay
To pay a required sum of money. This usage is formal and somewhat outdated.
EXAMPLE
Der Schuldner musste die gesamte Summe sofort erlegen.
The debtor had to pay the entire sum immediately.
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 erschießen
to shoot dead
When a hunted animal is killed with a shot, both words are possible. Erschießen highlights the method of killing with a firearm, while erlegen refers to the hunting perspective and the killing of prey. Use erlegen in a hunting context and erschießen when the method involving a firearm is important.
erlegen
Der Jäger erlegte das Wildtier mit einem gezielten Schuss.
The hunter killed the wild animal with a well-aimed shot.
erschießen
Der Jäger erschoss das Wildtier mit einem gezielten Schuss.
The hunter shot the wild animal dead with a well-aimed shot.
In real life
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