erlösen
Translation
to redeem, to save, to deliver, to cash in
Examples
Der Held erlöste das Volk von dem Tyrannen.
The hero delivered the people from the tyrant.
Sie erlöste ihn aus seiner peinlichen Lage.
She delivered him from his embarrassing situation.
Er erlöste den Gutschein im Geschäft.
He cashed in the voucher at the store.
Grammar Patterns
((sb.)) ((from sth.)) to deliver/save (sb.) from (sth.) The hero delivered the people from the tyrant.
Similar Words
befreien (to free), retten (to save)
Etymology
From the prefix 'er-' (indicating completion or achievement) and 'lösen' (to solve, loosen). It implies 'to loosen completely' or 'to bring to a final solution'.
Memory Tips
Think of 'er-' as bringing something to a final state. 'Lösen' is to loosen. So, 'erlösen' is to bring someone to a final state of being 'loosened' from their troubles, i.e., redeemed.