to fold / chip in / merge
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to fold
To fold something (e.g., clothing, paper, a blanket) so that the parts lie on top of each other.
Nach dem Waschen muss ich noch die ganze Wäsche zusammenlegen.
After doing the laundry, I still have to fold all the clothes.
'Zusammenlegen' is a separable verb. The prefix 'zusammen' comes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Legst du bitte die saubere Wäsche zusammen?
Could you please fold the clean laundry?
The prefix 'zusammen' carries the idea of 'togetherness' or 'uniting' in all meanings. Whether you are folding things, collecting money, or merging companies, several parts are always being brought into one unit.
Wir sollten unsere Ideen zusammenlegen, um eine gute Lösung zu finden.
We should pool our ideas to find a good solution.
In the meaning 'falten' (to fold), the verb is usually used with textiles or paper. Typical objects are 'Wäsche' (laundry), 'Kleidung' (clothing), 'Handtücher' (towels), 'ein Brief' (a letter), or 'eine Decke' (a blanket).
Kannst du mir helfen, das große Bettlaken zusammenzulegen?
Can you help me fold the large bedsheet?
When it comes to money, 'zusammenlegen' can also be used without the word 'Geld' (money). The preposition 'für' often follows to indicate the purpose.
Lasst uns für eine große Pizza zusammenlegen.
Let's chip in for a large pizza.
This meaning is almost always used in an organizational or administrative context. Typical subjects are 'Firmen' (companies), 'Abteilungen' (departments), 'Standorte' (locations), or 'Schulklassen' (school classes). The sentence is often in the passive voice.
Die beiden Abteilungen werden nächstes Jahr zusammengelegt.
The two departments will be merged next year.
to distribute / spread
'verteilen' and 'zusammenlegen' can form a clear contrast. With 'verteilen', things are distributed among several people or places. With 'zusammenlegen', you bring several things to one shared location or make a shared amount or group out of separate things. So the difference is the direction: 'verteilen' goes apart, while 'zusammenlegen' goes together.
Im Zug legen Adam und seine Kollegin ihre Unterlagen auf einen Tisch zusammen.
On the train, Adam and his colleague put their documents together on one table.
Zur Vorbereitung verteilt der Fahrer die Pakete auf verschiedene Kisten.
To prepare, the driver distributes the packages among different boxes.