legen
Translation
to lay, to put, to place
Examples
Ich lege das Buch auf den Tisch.
I lay the book on the table.
Sie legt sich ins Bett.
She lies down in bed.
Hühner legen Eier.
Hens lay eggs.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) ((on/in/to+acc)) to lay sth. on/in/to sth. I lay the book on the table.
sich ((legen)) to lie down She lies down in bed.
Similar Words
Synonyms: stellen (to stand up), setzen (to set down); Antonyms: liegen (to lie, state of being)
Etymology
From Old High German 'legen', meaning 'to cause to lie'. It's the causative form of 'liegen' (to lie).
Memory Tips
Remember 'legen' is an action (transitive, takes accusative), while 'liegen' is a state (intransitive, takes dative). Think of 'lay' vs 'lie' in English.