deleten

Deleten is a nonstandard German verb used to mean to delete data or files, borrowed from the English verb delete and adapted with German morphology. It appears primarily in information technology contexts and informal speech rather than in formal writing. In standard German, the preferred verbs are löschen (to delete or erase) or entfernen (to remove) depending on the context.

The term is considered colloquial or anglicistic and is often seen in casual conversation, online chats, or internal jargon within IT teams. Because it blends English origin with German grammar, it is usually avoided in official documentation, user interfaces, and language guides that aim for linguistic purity. Its use reflects a broader pattern where English IT terminology is incorporated into German discourse, sometimes for brevity or familiarity among developers and users.

As a result, deleten may appear in examples such as informal notes or code comments, where speakers intend a quick, direct reference to deleting a file or item. For standard usage, speakers and writers are advised to use löschen or entfernen, depending on the exact action. In software localization, the conventional translation is generally Datei löschen, which aligns with established German UI conventions. Deletion-related terms outside colloquial contexts should adhere to the more formal German vocabulary to ensure clarity and correctness. See also delete (English) and löschen (German).