to settle
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to settle
To become settled in a place and establish one's permanent residence there.
Nach vielen Jahren im Ausland haben sie sich schließlich in einem kleinen Dorf in Bayern niedergelassen.
After many years abroad, they finally settled in a small village in Bavaria.
to set up practice
To establish a professional existence as a self-employed person, especially for doctors, lawyers, or therapists who open their own practice.
Die junge Ärztin möchte sich nach ihrer Facharztausbildung als Allgemeinmedizinerin auf dem Land niederlassen.
After completing her specialist training, the young doctor would like to set up practice as a general practitioner in the countryside.
to sit down
An elevated or formal expression for 'sich hinsetzen' (to sit down).
Die Gäste wurden gebeten, sich für das Festmahl an der langen Tafel niederzulassen.
The guests were asked to sit down at the long table for the banquet.
to lower
To move something, often something heavy or significant, slowly and carefully downward and set it down.
Unter feierlichem Schweigen wurde der Sarg in die Gruft niedergelassen.
In solemn silence, the coffin was lowered into the crypt.
'Niederlassen' (to settle/lower) is a separable verb. The prefix 'nieder-' comes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Er lässt sich in Berlin nieder.
He settles in Berlin.
In most meanings, 'niederlassen' (to settle) is used reflexively with 'sich'. The reflexive pronoun is obligatory and must be adapted to the person. Only when you lower an object is it not reflexive.
Wir lassen uns hier für immer nieder.
We are settling here forever.
When 'sich niederlassen' (to settle) means to live in a place, the place is usually given with the preposition 'in' and the dative.
Viele junge Familien lassen sich am Stadtrand in einem eigenen Haus nieder.
Many young families settle in their own house on the outskirts of town.
The meaning 'eine Praxis eröffnen' (to open a practice) is limited to certain self-employed professions. You hear it almost only in connection with doctors, lawyers, or therapists.
Nach Jahren im Krankenhaus will sie sich als Kinderärztin niederlassen.
After years in the hospital, she wants to set up practice as a pediatrician.
When 'sich niederlassen' (to sit down) stands for 'sich hinsetzen' (to sit down), it is a very formal and elevated expression. You are more likely to find it in literature or on ceremonial occasions.
Der König ließ sich auf seinem Thron nieder.
The king sat down on his throne.
to open
When starting your own practice, both verbs can be used, but they emphasize different things. Eröffnen presents the practice as a new public establishment; sich niederlassen describes the person who is beginning an independent professional life. When talking about the practice, eröffnen is the better choice; when talking about the doctor or lawyer, niederlassen is more appropriate.
Die Ärztin lässt sich im Herbst als selbstständige Hausärztin im Stadtzentrum nieder.
The doctor is setting up as an independent family physician in the city center this fall.
Die Ärztin eröffnet im Herbst eine eigene Praxis im Stadtzentrum.
The doctor is opening her own practice in the city center this fall.
