down / low
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to settle down
To establish a permanent residence in a place or to open a professional practice, e.g. as a doctor or lawyer.
Nach Jahren des Reisens wollte er sich endlich in einer Stadt niederlassen.
After years of traveling, he finally wanted to settle down in a city.
'Nieder' often functions like a separable verb prefix with the basic meaning 'nach unten' (downward). It forms many verbs such as 'niederschreiben' (to write down), 'niederlegen' (to lay down), or 'niederknien' (to kneel down).
Er schrieb sich alle wichtigen Punkte nieder.
He wrote down all the important points.
As a standalone word, 'nieder' is often elevated, literary, or somewhat outdated. It is rarely used in everyday speech.
Der Ritter sank getroffen zu Boden nieder.
The knight, struck, sank down to the ground.
The expression 'sich niederlassen' (to settle down) is reflexive and separable. The reflexive pronoun 'sich' and the verb are adapted to the person.
Meine Großeltern haben sich nach dem Krieg hier niedergelassen.
My grandparents settled down here after the war.
The verb 'niedermachen' (to tear down / to trash) is separable and needs an accusative object. It means to verbally destroy someone or something.
In der Debatte hat sie ihren Gegner völlig niedergemacht.
In the debate, she completely tore down her opponent.
In the meaning 'von geringem Rang' (of low rank), 'nieder' is combined with certain nouns, e.g. 'niedere Beweggründe' (base motives), 'das niedere Volk' (the lower classes), or 'niedere Instinkte' (base instincts).
Man unterstellte ihm, aus niederen Beweggründen gehandelt zu haben.
He was accused of having acted from base motives.
In the meaning 'traurig' (sad) or 'deprimiert' (depressed), 'nieder' is used as an adjective after the verb 'sein' (to be) or 'sich fühlen' (to feel). It describes an emotional state.
Nach der Absage fühlte er sich tagelang nieder und antriebslos.
After the rejection, he felt down and listless for days.
high
'hoch' and 'nieder' can be opposites when it comes to height, rank, or status. 'hoch' is very normal in modern German: 'ein hoher Berg' (a high mountain), 'eine hohe Position' (a high-ranking position). 'nieder' can mean 'of low height' or 'of low rank', but today it often sounds elevated, old-fashioned, or appears in fixed expressions. In everyday language, people usually say 'niedrig' instead of 'nieder'. 'nieder' fits more in formal or literary contexts, for example in 'niederer Rang' (low rank) or 'niedere Beweggründe' (base motives).
In alten Texten liest man manchmal von Menschen niederen Ranges.
In old texts, you sometimes read about people of low rank.
Nach der Beförderung hat sie eine hohe Position in der Firma.
After the promotion, she has a high-ranking position in the company.