lösen

solve

verb LER-zen Less Common

Also means

loosen

Usage Note

lösen means 'to solve' a problem (ein Problem lösen) and also 'to loosen/detach' or 'dissolve' (Salz löst sich in Wasser). Reflexive sich lösen means 'to come loose' or, of a situation, 'to resolve itself'. Note: eine Fahrkarte lösen means 'to buy a ticket'.

Examples

"Wir müssen das Problem lösen."

Natural Translation

We have to solve the problem.

Literal Translation

We must the problem solve.

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