Verb

leisten

Translation

to afford, to achieve, to accomplish, to render

Ich kann mir das nicht leisten.

I can't afford that.

Er hat Großes geleistet.

He has achieved great things.

Wir müssen Widerstand leisten.

We must offer resistance.

sich3 et4 leisten to afford sth. I can afford a new car.

et4 leisten to achieve/perform sth. The team performed well.

Synonyms: schaffen (to manage), vollbringen (to accomplish), sich gönnen (to treat oneself); Antonyms: unterlassen (to refrain from)

From Old High German 'leistan' (to follow, perform). It's related to the English word 'last' in the sense of enduring or continuing.

Imagine you have a 'list' of tasks or things you want to buy. To 'leisten' is to successfully check them off, whether by achieving or affording them.