to make easier / relieve
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to make easier
To make something simpler, less difficult, or less time-consuming.
Der neue Aufzug erleichtert den Zugang zu den oberen Stockwerken erheblich.
The new elevator makes access to the upper floors considerably easier.
to relieve
To free someone from a worry, burden, or unpleasant feeling so that they feel better.
Die Nachricht, dass alle die Prüfung bestanden hatten, erleichterte die Schüler sichtlich.
The news that everyone had passed the exam visibly relieved the students.
to relieve oneself
A euphemistic expression for passing urine or stool.
Nach der langen Autofahrt musste er sich dringend erleichtern.
After the long car journey, he urgently had to relieve himself.
to relieve of
Colloquial and often ironic for stealing; to take something away from someone.
Ein Taschendieb hat den Touristen im Gedränge um seine Brieftasche erleichtert.
A pickpocket relieved the tourist of his wallet in the crowd.
The verb 'erleichtern' (to make easier/relieve) is inseparable. The prefix 'er-' remains firmly attached to the verb in all sentence forms and tenses.
Diese Maschine erleichtert die Produktion.
This machine makes production easier.
The word is derived from the adjective 'leicht' (light/easy). The prefix 'er-' often describes the process of reaching a state. So 'erleichtern' literally means to make something 'lighter/easier'.
Ein gutes Wörterbuch erleichtert das Sprachenlernen.
A good dictionary makes language learning easier.
'Erleichtern' is very often used with a person in the dative and a thing in the accusative. The structure is: someone (subject) + 'erleichtert' + someone (dative) + something (accusative).
Die neue Software erleichtert mir die Arbeit sehr.
The new software makes my work much easier.
The reflexive form 'sich erleichtern' (to relieve oneself) is a euphemistic expression for going to the toilet. It is used to address the topic discreetly.
Der Wanderer suchte einen Platz, um sich im Wald zu erleichtern.
The hiker looked for a place to relieve himself in the forest.
In the colloquial meaning 'stehlen' (to steal), 'erleichtern' is always used with the preposition 'um' and an accusative object. This structure is a clear signal for this ironic meaning.
Der Betrüger hat die alte Dame um ihre gesamten Ersparnisse erleichtert.
The fraudster relieved the old lady of all her savings.
to steal
„Stehlen“ neutrally describes taking something belonging to another person unlawfully. „Jemanden um etwas erleichtern“ can describe the same action colloquially and often ironically. „Stehlen“ is suitable for a direct, factual statement, while „erleichtern“ works in an ironic formulation.
Ein Taschendieb erleichterte den Touristen im Gedränge um seine Geldbörse.
A pickpocket relieved the tourist of his wallet in the crowd.
Ein Taschendieb stahl dem Touristen im Gedränge die Geldbörse.
A pickpocket stole the tourist's wallet in the crowd.
