gelegen
located
Describes the position or location of something, often in relation to its surroundings.
EXAMPLE
Unsere Ferienwohnung ist wunderschön an einem See gelegen.
Our vacation apartment is beautifully located by a lake.
gelegen
located / convenient
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Meanings
jemandem gelegen kommen
to suit someone
Expresses that an event or time is suitable, convenient, or welcome for someone.
EXAMPLE
Dein Angebot, mir beim Umzug zu helfen, kommt mir sehr gelegen.
Your offer to help me move suits me very well.
jemandem ist an etwas gelegen
to matter to someone
Expresses that something is important to someone or that someone places great value on something.
EXAMPLE
Mir ist viel daran gelegen, dass wir eine friedliche Lösung finden.
It matters a lot to me that we find a peaceful solution.
Usage tips
Origin of the word
'Gelegen' is the past participle of the verb 'liegen' (to lie). This origin directly explains the main meaning, which describes the place or position of something.
EXAMPLE
Das Dorf ist idyllisch in einem Tal gelegen.
The village is idyllically located in a valley.
Sentence structure and usage
In the meaning of 'sich befinden' (to be located), 'gelegen' is almost always used after the noun, predicatively. It is often combined with adverbs such as 'zentral' (central), 'ruhig' (quiet), or 'günstig' (convenient).
EXAMPLE
Das Hotel ist sehr verkehrsgünstig gelegen.
The hotel is very conveniently located for transport.
Fixed expression with dative
The expression 'jemandem gelegen kommen' (to suit someone / to come at a convenient time for someone) is fixed. The person for whom something is suitable is always in the dative. The thing that is suitable is the subject of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Die Verschiebung des Termins kommt mir sehr gelegen.
The postponement of the appointment suits me very well.
Construction with 'daran'
The expression 'jemandem ist an etwas gelegen' (something matters to someone) is very often constructed with 'daran' and a 'dass' clause or an infinitive with 'zu'. It expresses that a specific outcome is important to someone.
EXAMPLE
Meinen Eltern ist viel daran gelegen, dass ich mein Studium abschließe.
It matters a lot to my parents that I finish my degree.
Compare with
gelegen vs wichtig
important
Wichtig can directly express that something is of great importance to someone. Gelegen conveys the same basic idea here, but appears in the fixed construction “jemandem ist an etwas gelegen” (something matters to someone). This form emphasizes that the person places great value on the matter.
gelegen
An einem pünktlichen Abschluss des Projekts ist mir sehr gelegen.
It matters greatly to me that the project is completed on time.
wichtig
Ein pünktlicher Abschluss des Projekts ist mir wichtig.
Completing the project on time is important to me.
In real life
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