sich etwas zulegen
to get for oneself
To buy or acquire something new for oneself, usually a larger or more significant item.
EXAMPLE
Wir wollen uns nächstes Jahr ein neues Auto zulegen.
We want to get ourselves a new car next year.
zulegen
to acquire / to gain
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Meanings
zulegen
to gain
To increase in amount, weight, size, or speed; to become more or faster.
EXAMPLE
Im Urlaub habe ich leider zwei Kilo zugelegt.
Unfortunately, I gained two kilos while on vacation.
zulegen
to add
To add something in order to strengthen or supplement something. Often refers to adding fuel to a stove or fireplace.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du bitte noch ein paar Scheite Holz in den Kamin zulegen?
Could you please add a few more logs to the fireplace?
zulegen
to speed up
Colloquial for working faster or making more effort; to increase the pace.
EXAMPLE
Wir müssen zulegen, wenn wir heute noch fertig werden wollen.
We need to speed up if we still want to finish today.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Zulegen' (to acquire / to gain) is a separable verb. The prefix 'zu' comes at the end in a main clause, but stays attached to the verb in a subordinate clause. With 'zu' + infinitive, 'zu' comes between the prefix and the verb.
EXAMPLE
Er legt sich ein neues Handy zu.
He is getting himself a new phone.
Word structure
The verb consists of the prefix 'zu-' and the verb 'legen' (to lay/put). The prefix 'zu-' often expresses adding or increasing something, which can be seen in all meanings.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat im letzten Jahr an Erfahrung deutlich zugelegt.
She has gained significantly in experience over the past year.
Sentence structure: dative & accusative
In the meaning 'sich etwas anschaffen' (to acquire something for oneself), the verb is used reflexively with the dative and an accusative object: someone (nominative) gets themselves (dative) something (accusative).
EXAMPLE
Ich habe mir endlich einen neuen Laptop zugelegt.
I finally got myself a new laptop.
Typical collocations
When it is about an increase, 'zulegen' (to gain/increase) is often used with the preposition 'an' + dative, for example 'an Gewicht zulegen' (to gain weight) or 'an Tempo zulegen' (to pick up speed).
EXAMPLE
Der Läufer hat auf der letzten Runde an Geschwindigkeit zugelegt.
The runner picked up speed on the final lap.
Colloquial use
In the meaning 'schneller werden' (to get faster), 'zulegen' is often used as a command or statement and can stand without an object.
EXAMPLE
Leg mal zu, sonst verpassen wir den Bus!
Speed up, or we'll miss the bus!
Compare with
zulegen vs zunehmen
to gain weight / increase
Both zunehmen and zulegen can mean that someone gains body weight. Zunehmen is the neutral, general choice, while zulegen sounds more colloquial in this use. Zunehmen is usually appropriate in an objective text, while zulegen is also natural in casual conversation.
zulegen
Seit den Feiertagen hat Paul ein paar Kilogramm zugelegt.
Paul has put on a few kilograms since the holidays.
zunehmen
Seit den Feiertagen hat Paul drei Kilogramm zugenommen.
Paul has gained three kilograms since the holidays.
In real life
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