löschen
to extinguish
To put out a fire or blaze, usually with water or a fire extinguisher.
EXAMPLE
Die Feuerwehr rückte aus, um den Wohnungsbrand zu löschen.
The fire department was called out to extinguish the apartment fire.
löschen
to extinguish / delete
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Meanings
löschen
to delete
To remove data, files, or information from a digital storage medium.
EXAMPLE
Ich muss dringend ein paar alte Fotos löschen, mein Speicher ist voll.
I urgently need to delete a few old photos; my storage is full.
löschen
to quench
To satisfy thirst by drinking something.
EXAMPLE
Nach der Wanderung löschten wir unseren Durst mit einer kalten Limonade.
After the hike, we quenched our thirst with a cold lemonade.
löschen
to delete
To cancel an entry, registration, or account and remove it from a directory.
EXAMPLE
Wenn Sie den Newsletter nicht mehr erhalten möchten, können Sie hier Ihre E-Mail-Adresse löschen lassen.
If you no longer wish to receive the newsletter, you can have your email address deleted here.
löschen
to erase
To remove something written or drawn, for example from a board.
EXAMPLE
Der Lehrer bat einen Schüler, die Tafel zu löschen.
The teacher asked a student to erase the board.
Usage tips
Context is everything
The exact meaning of 'löschen' (to extinguish/delete/erase) almost always depends on the object. Pay attention to what is being 'gelöscht' (extinguished/deleted/erased): a fire, a file, thirst, or an account.
EXAMPLE
Die Feuerwehr musste den Brand löschen.
The fire department had to extinguish the blaze.
Typical collocations
In the context of fire, 'löschen' (to extinguish) is often used with the nouns 'Brand' (fire/blaze), 'Feuer' (fire), or 'Kerze' (candle). The typical subject performing this action is the fire department.
EXAMPLE
Die Anwohner versuchten, das kleine Feuer selbst zu löschen.
The residents tried to extinguish the small fire themselves.
Digital context
When it comes to computers or mobile phones, 'löschen' (to delete) always means removing digital information. Typical objects are 'Datei' (file), 'Foto' (photo), 'Nachricht' (message), or 'App' (app).
EXAMPLE
Bitte lösche die Nachricht, nachdem du sie gelesen hast.
Please delete the message after you have read it.
Fixed expression
The combination 'den Durst löschen' (to quench one's thirst) is a fixed expression. It is almost always used exactly in this form and sounds somewhat elevated.
EXAMPLE
Nach der langen Radtour mussten wir dringend unseren Durst löschen.
After the long bike ride, we urgently needed to quench our thirst.
Account and profile
On the internet or with services, 'löschen' (to delete) is used to remove an 'Konto' (account), a 'Profil' (profile), or an 'Eintrag' (entry) from a system.
EXAMPLE
Du kannst dein Benutzerkonto jederzeit in den Einstellungen löschen.
You can delete your user account at any time in the settings.
Compare with
löschen vs entfernen
to remove
Entfernen is general and can mean that a file is only taken out of a list or view. For digital files, Löschen normally means that the stored data is removed. The key question is therefore whether only the display or the file itself is supposed to disappear.
löschen
Ich lösche die Datei endgültig vom Laptop.
I am permanently deleting the file from the laptop.
entfernen
Ich entferne die Datei nur aus der Favoritenliste.
I am only removing the file from the favorites list.
In real life
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