basteln
to craft
To make creative things as a hobby from various materials such as paper, wood, or fabric.
EXAMPLE
Zu Ostern basteln wir mit den Kindern bunte Nester.
At Easter, we craft colorful nests with the children.
basteln
to craft / tinker
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Meanings
basteln an
to tinker with
To work on a device or construction in order to repair or improve it, often in an improvised way.
EXAMPLE
Er bastelt schon den ganzen Nachmittag an seinem alten Moped.
He has been tinkering with his old moped all afternoon.
Usage tips
Word family
Nouns are also derived from the verb 'basteln' (to craft/tinker). 'Der Bastler' (the hobbyist/tinkerer) is the person who crafts or tinkers, and 'die Bastelei' describes the activity or the result of crafting.
EXAMPLE
Mein Onkel ist ein leidenschaftlicher Bastler und repariert alles selbst.
My uncle is a passionate tinkerer and repairs everything himself.
Fixed preposition
When you work on a device or project, 'basteln' (to tinker) is always used with the preposition 'an' and the dative. This structure shows that you are working intensively on something in order to improve or repair it.
EXAMPLE
Der Informatiker bastelt an einer neuen App.
The software developer is tinkering with a new app.
Typical collocations
In the creative sense, 'basteln' (to craft) is often connected with the materials or the occasion. Typical phrases are 'aus Papier basteln' (to craft with paper), 'mit Holz basteln' (to craft with wood), or 'Weihnachtsschmuck basteln' (to make Christmas decorations).
EXAMPLE
Für den Geburtstag meiner Freundin bastle ich eine persönliche Karte.
For my friend's birthday, I am making a personal card.
Context clue
The preposition 'an' is a clear signal that 'basteln' is meant in the sense of 'tüfteln' (to tinker) or 'improvisiert reparieren' (to repair in an improvised way). Without this preposition, it is usually about creative crafting as a hobby.
EXAMPLE
Er bastelt an seinem Fahrrad, um es wieder fahrtüchtig zu machen.
He is tinkering with his bicycle to make it roadworthy again.
Compare with
basteln vs schrauben
to screw
Basteln an and an etwas schrauben can both mean working on a technical device. „Basteln“ emphasizes a more improvised or not entirely professional modification, while „schrauben“ is colloquial and highlights practical repair or work on the device. Use „basteln“ for general tinkering and „schrauben“ often for mechanical work.
basteln
Ich bastle noch an meinem alten Radio, damit es wieder funktioniert.
I’m still tinkering with my old radio to get it working again.
schrauben
Ich schraube noch an meinem alten Radio, damit es wieder funktioniert.
I’m still tinkering with my old radio to get it working again.
In real life
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