hinlegen
/ˈhɪnleːɡn̩/
The German phrase for lay down is hinlegen.
The verb hinlegen is used to mean placing something on the ground. When you use it to describe the act of a person lying down, it becomes a reflexive action, sich hinlegen, which emphasizes the act of lying down.
Meaning: to place on the ground (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The verb is composed of the directional prefix hin-, which indicates movement towards a destination or point and legen, which means to lay or place.
Which one should you use?
hinlegen is a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object, such as an object being laid down. In contrast, the reflexive form sich hinlegen is used when a person is lying themselves down.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a separable prefix verb, the prefix hin moves to the end of the clause in simple present tense sentences, such as Ich lege das Buch hin. The perfect tense of hinlegen uses the auxiliary verb haben and the past participle hingelegt, forming hat hingelegt.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈhɪnleːɡn̩/
Did you know?
- The word hinlegen is also used colloquially to mean paying a large sum of money for something, similar to the English 'shell out'.
- If you say you want to 'lay down' a person, jemanden hinlegen can function as slang for knocking someone unconscious or defeating them in a fight.
- The verb hinlegen can be used metaphorically in sports to describe a player who has performed an impressive feat, as in eine gute Leistung hinlegen.
Examples in context
- Legen Sie sich bitte hin, bis der Arzt kommt.Please lay down until the doctor arrives.
- Leg das Buch bitte auf den Tisch hin.Please lay the book down on the table.
- Ich muss die Tasche kurz auf den Boden hinlegen.I have to lay the bag down on the floor briefly.
- Kannst du das Paket bitte dort hinlegen?Can you please lay the package down there?
- Er will die Zeitung einfach auf den Tisch hinlegen.He wants to just lay the newspaper down on the table.
Example conversation
Sarah and Maximilian are organizing a room.
- SarahWo soll ich die Kissen hinlegen?Where should I lay the pillows down?
- MaximilianLeg sie bitte auf das Sofa.Please lay them on the sofa.
- SarahSoll ich auch die Decke hinlegen?Should I lay the blanket down too?
- MaximilianJa, das wäre sehr nett von dir.Yes, that would be very nice of you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry hinlegen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
