German word

anlegen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈanleːgən/

Meaning

  • verbinvest

Example

Sie legt ihr Erspartes an.

She invests her savings.

Illustration for anlegen (invest)

More examples

Er will sein Geld anlegen.

He wants to invest his money.

Core concept

Something is placed into a chosen setup so it can serve a purpose, grow in value, or become available for use.

Common phrases

  • Geld anlegen

    invest money

  • ein Konto anlegen

    open an account

  • etwas Geld anlegen

    invest some money

Similar words

investieren: Placing money in investments with the aim of gaining returns over time.
einzahlen: Adding cash to a bank account or moving it there by transfer.
sparen: Keeping part of an income for later rather than spending it now.

Definition in German

Geld in eine Form bringen, damit es Erträge abwirft; ferner ein Konto, eine Datei oder einen Eintrag anlegen (neu erstellen).

Word origin

Anlegen combines the separable prefix an- with legen, 'to put' or 'lay', and developed from the idea of placing something at or against a place.

Usage tips

  • Anlegen is a separable verb, so the present-tense form is legt ... an, as in Sie legt ihr Erspartes an, while the past participle is angelegt.

Other meanings

  • put to workverb
  • openverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word