Meaning
To be let go from a job or released from care.
Cultural Background
The 'Entlassung' from a job is highly regulated. Employers must provide a 'Zeugnis' (reference letter) which must be 'benevolent' by law, even if the person was entlassen for poor performance. In Austria, the term 'Entlassung' is specifically used for a 'dismissal with cause' (firing someone immediately for a serious reason), whereas 'Kündigung' is the general term for ending a contract with notice. Swiss labor law is more liberal than German law, making it easier to be 'entlassen'. However, the social stigma remains similar. When mass layoffs occur, companies often use 'Sozialpläne' (social plans) to decide who is 'entlassen' based on age, years of service, and family status.
The 'Sein' vs 'Werden' Rule
Use 'Ich wurde entlassen' for the story of how it happened. Use 'Ich bin entlassen' to describe your current situation.
Don't fire yourself!
Remember: 'Ich habe entlassen' means you fired someone. Always use 'bin' if you are the victim.
Meaning
To be let go from a job or released from care.
The 'Sein' vs 'Werden' Rule
Use 'Ich wurde entlassen' for the story of how it happened. Use 'Ich bin entlassen' to describe your current situation.
Don't fire yourself!
Remember: 'Ich habe entlassen' means you fired someone. Always use 'bin' if you are the victim.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'sein' and 'entlassen'.
Nach zwei Wochen im Krankenhaus ___ der Patient endlich ___.
We need the stative passive 'ist entlassen' to describe the patient's current state of being free to go.
Which sentence means the person was fired?
Select the correct sentence:
'Ich bin entlassen' is the standard way to say you were let go. 'Ich habe gekündigt' means you quit.
Match the sentence to the context.
1. 'Er ist aus der Haft entlassen.' 2. 'Sie ist aus dem Krankenhaus entlassen.'
'Haft' means imprisonment, and 'Krankenhaus' means hospital.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Warum arbeitet Thomas nicht mehr hier? B: Er ___ ___.
The stative passive 'ist entlassen' explains his current status as no longer employed.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesNach zwei Wochen im Krankenhaus ___ der Patient endlich ___.
We need the stative passive 'ist entlassen' to describe the patient's current state of being free to go.
Select the correct sentence:
'Ich bin entlassen' is the standard way to say you were let go. 'Ich habe gekündigt' means you quit.
1. 'Er ist aus der Haft entlassen.' 2. 'Sie ist aus dem Krankenhaus entlassen.'
'Haft' means imprisonment, and 'Krankenhaus' means hospital.
A: Warum arbeitet Thomas nicht mehr hier? B: Er ___ ___.
The stative passive 'ist entlassen' explains his current status as no longer employed.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo! In a hospital context, it is very positive—it means you are healthy enough to go home. In a job context, it is usually negative.
No. If you quit, use 'Ich habe gekündigt'. If you say 'Ich bin entlassen', people will think you were fired.
'Entlassen' is formal and neutral. 'Gefeuert' is informal and implies you did something wrong or the boss is angry.
Only if you specify the place. Use 'aus' + Dativ: 'aus dem Krankenhaus', 'aus der Firma'.
Yes, 'aus dem Dienst entlassen' is the standard term for being discharged from military service.
You can say 'Ich bin betriebsbedingt entlassen' (I was let go for operational reasons).
Usually, we use 'von der Schule verwiesen' for being kicked out, but 'entlassen' can be used for the formal graduation/release at the end of the year in some regions.
It means 'honorably discharged', used for soldiers or high-ranking officials who leave their post with a good reputation.
It is a strong (irregular) verb. The forms are: entlassen, entließ, hat entlassen.
Yes, 'aus der Haft entlassen' is the official term for a prisoner being released.
Related Phrases
jemanden entlassen
builds onTo fire/release someone
gefeuert werden
synonymTo be fired
freigestellt sein
similarTo be suspended with pay
kündigen
contrastTo quit or terminate
