lösen
to solve
To find the answer to a problem, a puzzle, or a task.
EXAMPLE
Die Schüler konnten die schwierige Matheaufgabe nicht lösen.
The students couldn't solve the difficult math problem.
lösen
to solve / loosen
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Meanings
lösen
to loosen / untie
To loosen or open something that is tied or fastened.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du mir helfen, diesen Knoten zu lösen?
Can you help me untie this knot?
lösen
to buy a ticket
To buy a travel ticket or admission ticket.
EXAMPLE
Ich muss am Automaten noch schnell eine Fahrkarte lösen.
I still need to quickly buy a ticket from the machine.
lösen
to dissolve
To cause a solid substance to dissolve in a liquid.
EXAMPLE
Man muss die Tablette in einem Glas Wasser lösen.
You have to dissolve the tablet in a glass of water.
lösen
to terminate
To end a contract, a connection, or an engagement.
EXAMPLE
Nach langen Überlegungen hat sie die Verlobung gelöst.
After long consideration, she broke off the engagement.
sich lösen
to come loose
To separate from or fall off something to which one was attached.
EXAMPLE
Durch die Feuchtigkeit löste sich die Tapete von der Wand.
Because of the moisture, the wallpaper came loose from the wall.
Usage tips
Word family
Many meanings of 'lösen' (to solve / loosen) can be derived from the idea of 'los machen' (to loosen / set free) or 'frei machen' (to free). You make a problem 'loose' (solve it), a knot 'loose' (untie it), or a substance 'loose' from its solid form (dissolve it in water).
EXAMPLE
Er versucht, die festgerostete Schraube zu lösen.
He is trying to loosen the screw that has rusted tight.
Context clue
Since 'lösen' has many meanings, the object of the verb is the most important clue. The word that comes after 'lösen' almost always tells you the exact meaning: a puzzle, a knot, a ticket, or a contract.
EXAMPLE
Sherlock Holmes konnte jedes Rätsel lösen.
Sherlock Holmes could solve every puzzle.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'eine Antwort finden' (to find an answer), 'lösen' is typically combined with abstract challenges. Common collocations are 'ein Problem lösen' (to solve a problem), 'einen Konflikt lösen' (to resolve a conflict), or 'eine Gleichung lösen' (to solve an equation).
EXAMPLE
Die Politiker versuchen, den politischen Konflikt zu lösen.
The politicians are trying to resolve the political conflict.
Register and style
The phrase 'eine Fahrkarte lösen' (to buy a ticket) is correct, but sounds somewhat formal or technical. In everyday language, many people simply say 'eine Fahrkarte kaufen' (to buy a ticket).
EXAMPLE
Bitte lösen Sie Ihr Ticket vor Fahrtantritt am Automaten.
Please purchase your ticket from the machine before starting your journey.
Context: contracts
When it comes to formal agreements, 'lösen' means something like 'beenden' (to end) or 'auflösen' (to dissolve / terminate). This is often used in a legal or business context.
EXAMPLE
Die Firma hat den Vertrag mit dem Lieferanten gelöst.
The company terminated the contract with the supplier.
Reflexive with preposition
In the reflexive form 'sich lösen' (to come loose / detach), the preposition 'von' (from) with the dative is often used. It describes something separating from a surface or a person.
EXAMPLE
Das Etikett hat sich von der Flasche gelöst.
The label came loose from the bottle.
Compare with
kaufenerledigenklärenregelnbeseitigenkündigenbewältigenaufklärenknackenmeisternschlichtenlüftenlockernbereinigenentfesseln
lösen vs kaufen
to buy
Kaufen generally refers to acquiring something in exchange for money and can also be used for tickets. With tickets and admission tickets, lösen has the same basic meaning, but it is a special, fixed expression in this context. Both work, but „lösen“ is restricted to this kind of ticket.
lösen
Lea löst am Automaten eine Fahrkarte nach Bonn.
Lea buys a ticket to Bonn at the vending machine.
kaufen
Lea kauft am Automaten eine Fahrkarte nach Bonn.
Lea buys a ticket to Bonn at the vending machine.
In real life
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