German word

verlegen

Pronunciation

IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈleːgn̩/

Meaning

  • verbmisplace

Example

Ich habe meinen Schlüssel verlegt.

I have misplaced my key.

Illustration for verlegen (misplace)

More examples

Ich habe das Handy verlegt und kann es jetzt nicht finden.

I misplaced my cell phone and can't find it now.

Core concept

Something is laid away from its expected location, with the same idea extending to relocating, delaying, or bringing work into publication.

Common phrases

  • den Schlüssel verlegt

    misplaced the key

  • die Brille verlegt

    misplaced the glasses

  • das Handy verlegt

    misplaced the cell phone

Similar words

verlieren: Lose an object so that its whereabouts are no longer known.
vergessen: Leave something behind by failing to remember to take it along.

Definition in German

etwas unbeabsichtigt an eine andere Stelle bringen oder dort liegen lassen, so dass man es nicht mehr findet

Word origin

Verlegen comes from Germanic legen, "to lay," combined with the prefix ver-, and its meanings developed around a change of placement.

Usage tips

  • For a rescheduled appointment, German uses einen Termin verlegen; the context distinguishes this from misplacing an object.

Other meanings

  • publishverb
  • layverb
  • postponeverb
  • embarrassedadjective
  • moveverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word