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tilgen

to pay off (a debt)

verb TIL-gen Rare

Also means

to redeem

Usage Note

tilgen is the technical verb for repaying the principal of a loan, as opposed to merely paying interest. The noun Tilgung names the repayment portion of an instalment. Outside finance it can mean to erase or wipe out, e.g. eine Schuld tilgen literally and figuratively.

Examples

"Er möchte den Kredit in zehn Jahren tilgen."

Natural Translation

He wants to pay off the loan in ten years.

Literal Translation

He wants the loan in ten years pay-off.

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