01
anmachen
to turn on
To switch on a device, a machine, or a light.
example
Es wird dunkel, kannst du bitte das Licht anmachen?
It's getting dark; could you please turn on the light?
anmachen
to turn on / hit on / dress
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Anmachen' is a separable verb. In main clauses, the prefix 'an' separates from the verb; in subordinate clauses, the verb stays together; and in the infinitive with 'zu', 'zu' stands between the prefix and the stem.
EXAMPLE
Machst du bitte die Heizung an?
Could you please turn the heating on?
Context from the object
The meaning of 'anmachen' depends strongly on the object. 'Das Licht anmachen' means to turn on the light, 'den Salat anmachen' means to dress the salad, and 'jemanden anmachen' means to flirt with or provoke someone.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du den Fernseher anmachen? Der Film beginnt gleich.
Can you turn on the TV? The film is about to start.
Register: colloquial language
Many meanings of 'anmachen' are colloquial. Turning on devices, flirting, and provoking someone are especially typical of spoken language.
EXAMPLE
Mach mal die Musik leiser, die Nachbarn beschweren sich schon.
Turn the music down a bit; the neighbors are already complaining.
Person as object
When the object is a person ('jemanden anmachen'), it can mean two things: to flirt with someone or to provoke someone. Only the context and tone of voice make clear what is meant.
EXAMPLE
Ein Mann hat sie an der Bar angemacht und ihr einen Drink angeboten.
A man hit on her at the bar and offered her a drink.
In the kitchen
In the context of food, 'anmachen' almost always means to mix a salad with a sauce. The object here is typically 'der Salat' (the salad).
EXAMPLE
Den Gurkensalat mache ich immer mit Dill und Sahne an.
I always dress the cucumber salad with dill and cream.
Lighting a fire
In combination with 'Feuer' (fire), 'Kamin' (fireplace), 'Kerze' (candle), or 'Zigarette' (cigarette), 'anmachen' means the same as 'anzünden' (to light).
EXAMPLE
Es ist romantisch, abends den Kamin anzumachen.
It's romantic to light the fireplace in the evening.
Attaching something
When 'anmachen' means 'befestigen' (to attach), it is often followed by a location with the preposition 'an' and the dative. You attach something to a wall, to a door, etc.
EXAMPLE
Der Hausmeister hat das neue Regal an der Wand angemacht.
The caretaker attached the new shelf to the wall.
Compare with
anmachen vs anbringen
to attach / bring up
'anbringen' and 'anmachen' can both mean that something is attached to a surface. 'Anbringen' is the more neutral and more precise form, especially when something is mounted neatly or attached permanently. 'Anmachen' in this meaning is more colloquial and can also sound very general. In addition, 'anmachen' has many other meanings, for example turning on a light or provoking someone. This means misunderstandings can easily happen. If you want to say clearly and neutrally that something is being attached, 'anbringen' is usually safer.
anmachen
Ich mache morgen noch ein paar Fotos an die Pinnwand.
Tomorrow I'll attach a few more photos to the pinboard.
anbringen
Nico bringt die Garderobe an, weil im Flur mehr Platz sein soll.
Nico mounts the coat rack because there should be more space in the hallway.
In real life
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