What does it mean word for word?
The verb is composed of the prefix hin-, which indicates direction towards a surface or away from the speaker and legen, which means to lay or place.
Which one should you use?
The transitive form hinlegen is used when you are placing an object down. In contrast, if you wish to express the reflexive action of a person lying themselves down (for example, "I am lying down"), you must use the reflexive form sich hinlegen.
How does it change in a sentence?
hinlegen is a separable verb, which means the prefix hin- moves to the end of the clause in simple present and simple past tense sentences.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈhɪnleːɡn̩/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often confuse "lay" and "lie". In German, use hinlegen for the transitive action of placing an object, while use sich hinlegen for a person performing the action of lying down.
Did you know?
- In German slang, hinlegen can be used as a euphemism for killing someone, meaning to 'lay them down' for good.
- In some German dialects, the prefix hin- can be replaced by her- depending on whether the object is being moved toward or away from the speaker's current position.
- If you are 'laying down' a rule or a law in German, you would not use hinlegen but rather festlegen, as the concept is about fixing a decision.
Examples in context
- Ich muss den Teppich hier hinlegen.I must lay the carpet down here.
- Kannst du den Schlüssel bitte auf den Tisch hinlegen?Can you please lay the key down on the table?
- Sie möchte das Buch vorsichtig hinlegen.She wants to lay the book down carefully.
Example conversation
Laura and Julian are organizing their new living room.
- LauraJulian, kannst du diesen Kissenbezug dort hinlegen?Julian, can you lay this pillowcase down there?
- JulianJa, ich lege ihn direkt auf das Sofa.Yes, I am laying it down directly on the sofa.
- LauraDas sieht sehr gut aus, danke!That looks very good, thanks!
- JulianGerne, Laura.You're welcome, Laura.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry hinlegen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
