01
landen
to land
To deliberately touch down from the air on the ground or another surface with an airplane, spacecraft, or as a bird.
example
Das Flugzeug aus München ist pünktlich gelandet.
The plane from Munich landed on time.
landen
to land
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Perfect tense with 'sein'
'Landen' (to land) describes movement or a change of location. Therefore, the perfect tense is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be), never with 'haben' (to have). This applies to all meanings of the word.
EXAMPLE
Wir sind gestern Abend sicher in Berlin gelandet.
We landed safely in Berlin yesterday evening.
Word family
The verb 'landen' (to land) is related to the noun 'das Land' (land/country). The act of landing is described by the noun 'die Landung' (landing). This connection helps you understand the basic meaning.
EXAMPLE
Die Landung des Flugzeugs war sehr sanft.
The landing of the plane was very smooth.
Context clue: the subject
The subject of the sentence gives an important clue to the meaning. If it is an airplane, a bird, or a ship, the literal meaning is meant. If people or objects are the subject, it is often a figurative, colloquial meaning.
EXAMPLE
Der Falke ist auf dem Baum gelandet.
The falcon landed on the tree.
Prepositions with landing
In the literal meaning of landing, the location is usually given with the prepositions 'in' + dative (for cities, countries) or 'auf' + dative (for airports, runways).
EXAMPLE
Die Maschine aus New York landet auf dem Flughafen Frankfurt.
The plane from New York is landing at Frankfurt Airport.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'to successfully achieve something', 'landen' (to land) is often used with an accusative object in fixed collocations. Typical examples are 'einen Treffer landen' (to score a hit), 'einen Erfolg landen' (to achieve a success), or 'einen Hit landen' (to land a hit).
EXAMPLE
Mit diesem Produkt hat die Firma einen großen Erfolg gelandet.
With this product, the company achieved a great success.
Compare with
landen vs bekommen
to get / receive
'bekommen' and 'landen' can both express that someone achieves or gets something, for example a job. 'bekommen' is neutral and fits in almost all situations. 'landen' is more colloquial and often emphasizes that you successfully managed to get something, sometimes also with a bit of luck. In official or neutral statements, 'bekommen' is more natural. When speaking casually about a success, 'landen' sounds more lively.
landen
Clara hat nach langer Suche einen guten Job gelandet.
After a long search, Clara landed a good job.
bekommen
Nach dem Bewerbungsgespräch hat Tom die Stelle bekommen.
After the interview, Tom got the position.
In real life
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