German word

erledigen

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛɐ̯ˈleːdɪgn̩/

Meaning

  • verbdeal with

Example

Ich habe die E-Mails schon erledigt.

I've already dealt with the emails.

Illustration for erledigen (deal with)

More examples

Ich muss heute noch die Besorgungen erledigen.

I still have to run errands today.

Core concept

A pending item is cleared from a pile of work and leaves no loose end.

Common phrases

  • Besorgungen erledigen

    run errands

  • eine Aufgabe erledigen

    complete a task

Similar words

beenden: Ending an activity or state and bringing it to a close.
abschließen: Concluding a matter formally after all required steps are done.
fertigstellen: Completing unfinished work on a project or product.
ausführen: Putting a planned task or order into action.

Definition in German

Eine Sache zu Ende führen und abschließen, so dass kein weiterer Aufwand nötig ist.

Word origin

Erledigen developed from Middle High German erledigen, formed with the prefix er- from ledig, meaning free or unoccupied.

Usage tips

  • Erledigen normally takes a direct accusative object, as in "Ich erledige die E-Mails" rather than a prepositional phrase.

Other meanings

  • finishverb
  • take care ofverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Erledigungcompletionnoun
  • erledigtdoneadjective

Word lists with this word