01
leeren
to empty
To remove the entire contents from a container or a room.
example
Könntest du bitte den Mülleimer leeren?
Could you please empty the trash can?
leeren
to empty
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'leeren' (to empty) is derived directly from the adjective 'leer' (empty). It describes the action of making something 'empty'.
EXAMPLE
Vor dem Urlaub müssen wir den Kühlschrank komplett leeren.
Before vacation, we have to completely empty the fridge.
Active vs. reflexive
There is an important difference: 'leeren' (active) means that someone empties something. 'Sich leeren' (reflexive) means that a place becomes empty on its own because people leave it.
EXAMPLE
Der Hausmeister leert jeden Abend die Papierkörbe.
The janitor empties the wastepaper baskets every evening.
Typical collocations
Common objects for 'leeren' (to empty) are containers or storage spaces. Typical examples are: 'den Briefkasten leeren' (to empty the mailbox), 'den Papierkorb leeren' (to empty the wastepaper basket / recycle bin), 'den Speicher des Handys leeren' (to clear the phone's storage), or 'das Glas leeren' (to empty the glass).
EXAMPLE
Ich habe aus Versehen den falschen Ordner geleert.
I accidentally emptied the wrong folder.
Register: colloquial
The use of 'leeren' (to empty) in the sense of 'austrinken' (to drink up) is colloquial. You often hear it in informal situations among friends.
EXAMPLE
Sie wetteten, wer die Flasche zuerst leeren kann.
They bet on who could empty the bottle first.
Compare with
leeren vs löschen
to extinguish / delete
'löschen' and 'leeren' can both mean that something is no longer there. The difference lies in how you look at the thing: 'löschen' is used for individual data, files, entries, or information. Afterward, they are meant to be removed. 'leeren' is used when a container, folder, or storage location loses all of its contents. That is why you say, for example, 'eine Datei löschen' (to delete a file), but 'den Papierkorb leeren' (to empty the trash). Learners easily confuse the words because when you empty a digital trash folder, data also disappears in the end.
leeren
Nach der Arbeit leert Tom den Papierkorb auf seinem Computer.
After work, Tom empties the trash on his computer.
löschen
Bitte lösch die alte Datei, weil wir sie nicht mehr brauchen.
Please delete the old file because we no longer need it.
In real life
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