leasen
lease
Definition & meaning
leasen means to lease: to use a car, machine, computer, property, or other asset for an agreed period in exchange for regular payments.
Unlike buying, the user usually does not become the owner. At the end of the contract, the asset is typically returned, bought for a residual value, or replaced, depending on the agreement.
In German, leasen is especially common for:
- cars: ein Auto leasen — to lease a car
- business equipment: Maschinen leasen — to lease machinery
- technical devices: Computer oder Kopierer leasen — to lease computers or photocopiers
It can also be used more generally as a modern alternative to mieten—to rent—but it often suggests a longer, more formal, and commercially structured contract.
Grammar & Word origin
- Infinitive: leasen
- Verb type: regular, separable? No, it is not separable
- Present tense:
ich lease, du le( e)st? The commonly used forms are du least, er/sie/es least, wir leasen - Simple past: leaste
- Past participle: geleast
- Auxiliary verb: haben — Wir haben ein Auto geleast.
The word is a German borrowing from English to lease, meaning “to rent or let under a contract.” The English word ultimately comes from Old French laisser, “to let” or “to leave.”
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
- mieten — to rent; more general and often used for apartments, houses, cars, or equipment. Leasen usually emphasizes a longer-term commercial contract.
- pachten — to lease or rent land, a business, or an agricultural property. It is more specific than leasen and often involves the right to use and profit from the property.
- ausleihen — to borrow or lend temporarily; normally implies a shorter period and is less formal or commercial.
- anmieten — to rent or hire something, often for a particular period. It is close to mieten, while leasen commonly refers to structured financing or business contracts.
Antonyms
There is no exact opposite of leasen, but depending on the context, the following verbs contrast with it:
- kaufen — to buy; the buyer becomes the owner instead of merely using the asset.
- verkaufen — to sell; the owner transfers the asset to someone else.
- zurückgeben — to return; this often happens when a lease ends.
Common phrases & collocations
- ein Auto leasen — to lease a car
- einen Wagen leasen — to lease a vehicle
- eine Maschine leasen — to lease a machine
- ein Gerät leasen — to lease a device
- Leasingvertrag — leasing contract
- Leasingrate — lease payment
- Leasingkosten — leasing costs
- Leasingfahrzeug — leased vehicle
- Kilometerleasing — mileage-based leasing
- Restwertleasing — residual-value leasing
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Examples
Sie leasen ein neues Auto.verb
They lease a new car.
Viele Firmen leasen ihre Computer nur für zwei Jahre.verb
Many companies lease their computers for only two years.
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