settled / sedentary
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settled
Living in a fixed place and not constantly moving. Describes a way of life with a permanent residence.
Nach vielen Jahren des Reisens wollte er endlich sesshaft werden und eine Familie gründen.
After many years of traveling, he finally wanted to settle down and start a family.
sedentary
In history and anthropology, it describes the transition from nomadic cultures to societies with permanent settlements and agriculture.
Die neolithische Revolution führte dazu, dass die Menschen sesshaft wurden und Dörfer gründeten.
The Neolithic Revolution led people to become sedentary and establish villages.
'Sesshaft' (settled / sedentary) is related to the verb 'sitzen' (to sit) and the noun 'Sessel' (armchair). The basic idea is that you 'sit' in one place and no longer move around.
Einige Vogelarten sind hier sesshaft und fliegen im Winter nicht in den Süden.
Some bird species are settled here and do not fly south in winter.
The adjective is often combined with two verbs: 'sesshaft sein' (to be settled) describes the state of living in one place, while 'sesshaft werden' (to settle down) describes the process of establishing oneself somewhere.
Er ist seit zehn Jahren in Berlin sesshaft.
He has been settled in Berlin for ten years.
You can recognize the meaning from the context. If it is about personal life decisions, e.g. 'Familie' (family) or 'Reisen' (traveling), the modern meaning is meant. If it is about history, peoples, or agriculture, the historical meaning is meant.
Mein Bruder ist ein Nomade, er war noch nie länger als zwei Jahre sesshaft.
My brother is a nomad; he has never been settled for more than two years.
based / resident
Ansässig neutrally states that someone has an established home or business in a particular place. Sesshaft places more emphasis on living permanently in one fixed place and not constantly moving. Ansässig fits a formal statement of location, while sesshaft is more suitable for describing a settled way of life.
Nach Jahren des Reisens wurde die Familie in einem kleinen Dorf sesshaft.
After years of traveling, the family settled in a small village.
Viele Handwerksbetriebe sind in diesem Stadtteil ansässig.
Many craft businesses are based in this neighborhood.
