Låsen

Lösen is a German verb with several related meanings. The most common sense is to solve or work out a problem, as in Ich löse das Rätsel. It can also mean to loosen or detach physically, for example die Schnur lösen (to loosen the cord) or sich lösen (to detach oneself). In chemistry and everyday speech, lösen can mean to dissolve a substance in a solvent, wie Salz, das sich im Wasser löst. In everyday usage, it can also mean to redeem or purchase a service or document, for instance ein Ticket lösen (to buy a ticket).

Lösen occurs in a number of common compounds that shift its meaning. Auflösen means to dissolve, to resolve a problem, or to disband; Auslösen means to trigger or cause something to happen; Freisetzen or lösen can imply release in various contexts. The verb often appears with direct objects, e.g., ein Problem lösen, eine Gleichung lösen, or eine Aufgabe lösen.

Historically, lösen derives from Old High German lösen/lōsen, linked to the idea of loosening or releasing. It is cognate with the English loosen. The related noun Lösung means a solution or answer, and in chemistry or mathematics it denotes the result of solving a problem or dissolving a substance.

Conjugation and forms: lösen is a regular verb with a vowel change in the present tense for the du and er forms: ich löse, du löst, er löst, wir lösen, ihr löst, sie lösen. The preterite is löste, löstest, löste, lösten, löstet, lösten. The participle is gelöst, and the perfect uses haben: ich habe gelöst. Common examples include Ich löse das Problem, Das Salz löst sich im Wasser, and Wir lösen den Vertrag.