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.
down
As an adverb meaning "downward". It is mainly used in fixed expressions or in elevated language.
Sie sank vor Erschöpfung auf die Knie nieder.
She sank down to her knees from exhaustion.
to tear down
To criticize someone or something very harshly and often unfairly; to judge something devastatingly.
Der Kritiker hat den neuen Film in seiner Rezension völlig niedergemacht.
The critic completely tore down the new film in his review.
low / humble
Of low height, low rank, or simple origin. This meaning is now rather elevated or outdated.
Er stammte aus niederem Adel.
He came from the lower nobility.
down / depressed
In a state of sadness, discouragement, or depression.
Die Nachricht von der Niederlage machte ihn ganz nieder.
The news of the defeat made him feel completely down.
'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As a standalone word, 'nieder' is often elevated, literary, or somewhat outdated.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.
down / below
Unten normally refers to a place on a lower level. Nieder can also mean “downward,” but it is mainly used in fixed expressions or elevated language. In everyday situations, unten is the appropriate choice, while nieder mainly appears in these special formulations.
Der müde Wanderer ließ sich am Wegesrand nieder.
The tired hiker settled down by the side of the road.
Die Kinder spielen unten im Hof.
The children are playing downstairs in the courtyard.
