löschen
/ˈlœʃən/
To put out (a fire) in German is löschen.
The verb löschen is used to mean extinguishing a fire. It is most commonly used in the collocation Feuer löschen (to extinguish fire). It is important to note that löschen is also the standard term used for deleting digital data, such as a file or a text.
Meaning: to extinguish (fire) (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
The simple past form of löschen is löschte, and the past participle is gelöscht.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈlœʃən/
Did you know?
- In German, the same verb used to put out a fire, löschen, is also used to describe quenching your thirst with a drink.
- In maritime history, the term löschen was linked to unloading cargo from a ship because the items were being 'deleted' from the manifest.
Examples in context
- Es gelang ihm, das Feuer allein zu löschen.He managed to put out the fire by himself.This sentence shows how someone can manage to use löschen to put out a fire alone.Tatoeba #12570193 by Waldelfe, translation #8536088 by CH
- Sie arbeiteten zusammen, um das Feuer zu löschen.They worked together to put out the fire.This sentence describes people working together to use löschen for a fire.Tatoeba #7778293 by BerlinJakarta, translation #307182 by CK
- Tom wollte das Feuer löschen, aber es gelang ihm nicht.Tom tried to put out the fire, but wasn't able to.This sentence illustrates a failed attempt to use löschen on a fire.Tatoeba #13007026 by Waldelfe, translation #13005156 by CK
- Bitte löschen Sie die Kerzen, bevor Sie das Haus verlassen.Please put out the candles before leaving the house.
- Das Feuer erlischt automatisch nach einer bestimmten Zeit.The fire will go out automatically after a certain time.
- Kannst du bitte die Zigarette ausmachen?Can you please put out the cigarette?
- Das Feuer ist noch immer nicht gelöscht.The fire is still not put out.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julian and Sarah are camping and the campfire is still burning.
- JulianWir müssen das Feuer jetzt löschen.We have to put out the fire now.
- SarahHast du genug Wasser zum löschen?Do you have enough water to put it out?
- JulianJa, ich hole schnell den Eimer.Yes, I'll grab the bucket quickly.
- SarahGut, dann löschen wir es gemeinsam.Good, then we'll put it out together.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “put out” translations and entries löschen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries löschen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
