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feststellen

determine

verb FEST-shtel-en Less Common

Also means

notice

Usage Note

feststellen is separable, joining fest (firm) and stellen (to place) to mean establishing a fact or noticing something — Ich stelle fest, dass ... ('I note that ...'). It also means to lock something in place, as with a brake. The prefix detaches in main clauses.

Examples

"Der Arzt stellt eine Krankheit fest."

Natural Translation

The doctor diagnoses an illness.

Literal Translation

The doctor places an illness firm.

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