festlegen
to set
To determine, decide, or define something in a binding way.
EXAMPLE
Wir haben den Preis auf 50 Euro festgelegt.
We set the price at 50 euros.
festlegen
to set / commit
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Meanings
sich festlegen
to commit oneself
To decide on a particular option and rule out other possibilities; to make a binding commitment.
EXAMPLE
Ich möchte mich noch nicht festlegen, in welches Restaurant wir gehen.
I don't want to commit myself yet to which restaurant we're going to.
festlegen
to lock in
To invest money for a specific period of time so that one cannot access it.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat ihr Erspartes für drei Jahre als Festgeld festgelegt.
She locked in her savings for three years as a fixed-term deposit.
festlegen
to pin down
To tie someone up, hold someone down, or make someone unable to move. Often used in police or combat contexts.
EXAMPLE
Der Judoka konnte seinen Gegner am Boden festlegen.
The judoka was able to pin his opponent down on the mat.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Festlegen' (to set/commit) is a separable verb. The prefix 'fest-' goes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Die Firma legt die neuen Preise fest.
The company sets the new prices.
Structure of the verb
The verb is made up of 'fest' (in the sense of fixed, binding) and 'legen' (to lay). The basic idea is to 'lay something down' in such a way that it can no longer be changed.
EXAMPLE
Lasst uns einen Treffpunkt für morgen festlegen.
Let's set a meeting point for tomorrow.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'bestimmen' (to determine), 'festlegen' (to set) is often combined with abstract things. Typical examples are: 'einen Termin festlegen' (to set a date), 'einen Preis festlegen' (to set a price), 'Regeln festlegen' (to set rules), or 'eine Strategie festlegen' (to set a strategy).
EXAMPLE
Das Komitee muss den endgültigen Termin für die Konferenz festlegen.
The committee has to set the final date for the conference.
Reflexive use
The reflexive form 'sich festlegen' (to commit oneself) means to make a binding decision. It is often followed by the preposition 'auf' with the accusative to name the choice.
EXAMPLE
Er will sich noch nicht auf ein Urlaubsland festlegen.
He doesn't want to commit himself to a vacation country yet.
Compare with
setzenentscheidenverfügenbestimmenanlegendefinierenvereinbarenansetzenfixierenfesselnfestsetzenfestschreibenbehaftenfestmachenabmachen
festlegen vs setzen
to set / put
Setzen and Festlegen can both be used to specify a deadline. Setzen generally refers to introducing this requirement. Festlegen places greater emphasis on fixing the decision in a binding way, so it is especially appropriate for official agreements or rules.
festlegen
Im Vertrag legt die Projektleiterin die endgültige Frist verbindlich auf Freitag fest.
In the contract, the project manager definitively sets Friday as the binding deadline.
setzen
Die Projektleiterin setzt für erste Rückmeldungen eine Frist bis Freitag.
The project manager sets a deadline of Friday for the first responses.
In real life
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