festgelegt
fixed
Bindingly determined, defined, or decided. Describes something that can no longer be changed, or only with difficulty.
EXAMPLE
Der Termin für die Prüfung ist bereits festgelegt.
The date for the exam has already been fixed.
festgelegt
fixed / determined
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Meanings
sich festgelegt haben
to have decided
To have decided on and committed to a particular option, opinion, or course of action.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe mich noch nicht festgelegt, welches Auto ich kaufe.
I haven't decided yet which car I'm buying.
Usage tips
Origin of the word
'Festgelegt' (fixed/determined) is the past participle of the separable verb 'festlegen' (to determine/fix). It consists of 'fest' (fixed/firm) and 'legen' (to lay) and literally means to lay something down so that it is fixed and no longer moves.
EXAMPLE
Wir müssen die Regeln für das Projekt genau festlegen.
We have to define the rules for the project precisely.
Verb sentence structure
Since 'festlegen' (to determine/fix) is a separable verb, the prefix 'fest-' comes at the end in a main clause. However, the participle 'festgelegt' (fixed/determined) is always written as one word.
EXAMPLE
Die Firma legt die neuen Preise fest.
The company fixes the new prices.
Typical collocations
Typical things that are 'festgelegt' (fixed/determined) are appointments, deadlines, rules, prices, goals, or an exact date.
EXAMPLE
Die Route für den Marathon ist jetzt endgültig festgelegt.
The route for the marathon is now finally fixed.
Reflexive use
The expression 'sich festgelegt haben' (to have decided/committed oneself) means that a person has made a personal decision. It is always formed with a reflexive pronoun (mich, dich, sich, etc.).
EXAMPLE
Er hat sich schon für ein Studienfach festgelegt.
He has already decided on a field of study.
Use with 'auf'
When you want to say what you have decided on, you use the preposition 'auf' followed by the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat sich auf ein Thema für ihre Masterarbeit festgelegt.
She has decided on a topic for her master's thesis.
Compare with
bestimmtfixvorgesehenvorgegebenstarrdefiniertgeregeltbeschlossenvorprogrammiertbefestigtdezidierteingespannt
festgelegt vs bestimmt
certain / specific
When referring to an appointment or value, bestimmt identifies something specific and distinguishes it from other possibilities. Festgelegt additionally means that it has been decided on definitively and cannot be changed, or can only be changed with difficulty. Bestimmt fits a mere specification; festgelegt fits a binding decision.
festgelegt
Unser Termin am 15. Mai ist bereits verbindlich festgelegt.
Our appointment on May 15 has already been definitively fixed.
bestimmt
Wir treffen uns an einem bestimmten Termin im Mai.
We are meeting on a specific date in May.
In real life
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