verb
to set, to appoint / to fix (a date)
B1
festsetzen means 'to set', 'to fix (a date)' or 'to appoint'. Separable verb (setzen + prefix fest — e.g., du setzt fest). Uses auxiliary haben (Perfekt: hat festgesetzt). Regular weak verb, non-reflexive. Common in legal or scheduling contexts: Termine, Preise oder Regeln werden festgesetzt. Also used transitively (ich setze den Termin fest).
Examples
Der Termin ist festgesetzt.
The appointment is set.
Das Gericht setzte die Geldstrafe fest, weil das Vergehen eindeutig bewiesen worden war.
The court fixed the fine because the offense had been proven beyond doubt.
Sie setzten den Termin fest.
They set the appointment date.
Details
Mnemonics
Visualize placing a firm 'SET' stamp on a calendar to fix a deadline
sounds like 'fast' + 'sets' (fast-sets = fixes quickly)
Notes
Separable verb. Can mean 'determine' or 'fix' (e.g., a time or penalty). In main clauses the prefix separates (ich setze fest).