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.
to chip in
To give money together with others in order to buy or pay for something.
Die Kollegen haben zusammengelegt, um ein Geschenk für die Chefin zu kaufen.
The colleagues chipped in to buy a gift for the boss.
to merge
To combine or merge two or more separate units (e.g., companies, departments, school classes) into a single unit.
Wegen der geringen Schülerzahl wurden die beiden fünften Klassen zusammengelegt.
Because of the low number of students, the two fifth-grade classes were merged.
to gather together
To collect or place different things in one shared location.
Bitte legt alle Werkzeuge nach der Benutzung wieder an ihren Platz zusammen.
Please gather all the tools back in their place after using them.
'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 collect / gather
When bringing money together, both sammeln and zusammenlegen can be appropriate. Sammeln usually refers to donations, which may also come from other people, whereas with zusammenlegen, the people involved contribute money themselves for a shared purchase or payment. For donations, sammeln is the better choice; for a joint contribution, zusammenlegen is better.
Für das neue Fahrrad legen wir zu dritt unser Geld zusammen.
The three of us are chipping in for the new bicycle.
Für das neue Jugendzentrum sammeln wir im ganzen Viertel Spenden.
We are collecting donations throughout the neighborhood for the new youth center.
