fertigmachen
to finish
To complete something or prepare it so that it is finished and ready.
EXAMPLE
Ich mache noch schnell den Bericht fertig.
I'll just quickly finish the report.
fertigmachen
to finish / get ready / wear out
fertigmachen – machte fertig – hat fertiggemacht
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Meanings
sich fertigmachen
to get ready
To prepare yourself for something, especially by washing, getting dressed, or putting on makeup.
EXAMPLE
Ich muss mich noch fertigmachen, bevor wir losgehen.
I still need to get ready before we leave.
jemanden fertigmachen
to wear out
To put someone under severe physical or emotional strain, exhaust them, or cause them great distress.
EXAMPLE
Der lange Arbeitstag hat mich völlig fertiggemacht.
The long workday completely wore me out.
jemanden fertigmachen
to bully
To repeatedly harass, insult, or humiliate someone, making them feel helpless.
EXAMPLE
Einige Mitschüler haben ihn wegen seiner Kleidung ständig fertiggemacht.
Some classmates constantly bullied him because of his clothes.
jemanden fertigmachen
to tear apart
To criticize someone harshly or decisively defeat them in a confrontation.
EXAMPLE
Die Journalistin hat den Minister in der Diskussion verbal fertiggemacht.
The journalist verbally tore the minister apart during the discussion.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry fertigmachen, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Present
| ich | mache fertig |
|---|---|
| du | machst fertig |
| er/sie/es | macht fertig |
| wir | machen fertig |
| ihr | macht fertig |
| sie | machen fertig |
Simple past
| ich | machte fertig |
|---|---|
| du | machtest fertig |
| er/sie/es | machte fertig |
| wir | machten fertig |
| ihr | machtet fertig |
| sie | machten fertig |
Perfect
with haben
| ich | habe fertiggemacht |
|---|---|
| du | hast fertiggemacht |
| er/sie/es | hat fertiggemacht |
| wir | haben fertiggemacht |
| ihr | habt fertiggemacht |
| sie | haben fertiggemacht |
Commands
| du | mach fertig! mache fertig! |
|---|---|
| ihr | macht fertig! |
| Sie | machen Sie fertig! |
Past perfect
| ich | hatte fertiggemacht |
|---|---|
| du | hattest fertiggemacht |
| er/sie/es | hatte fertiggemacht |
| wir | hatten fertiggemacht |
| ihr | hattet fertiggemacht |
| sie | hatten fertiggemacht |
Future
| ich | werde fertigmachen |
|---|---|
| du | wirst fertigmachen |
| er/sie/es | wird fertigmachen |
| wir | werden fertigmachen |
| ihr | werdet fertigmachen |
| sie | werden fertigmachen |
Subjunctive I
| ich | mache fertig |
|---|---|
| du | machest fertig |
| er/sie/es | mache fertig |
| wir | machen fertig |
| ihr | machet fertig |
| sie | machen fertig |
Used for reported speech.
Subjunctive II
| ich | machte fertig |
|---|---|
| du | machtest fertig |
| er/sie/es | machte fertig |
| wir | machten fertig |
| ihr | machtet fertig |
| sie | machten fertig |
Used for wishes and “would”.
Other forms
| infinitive | fertigmachen |
|---|---|
| with zu | fertigzumachen |
| present participle | fertigmachend |
| past participle | fertiggemacht |
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Fertigmachen' (to finish / get ready / wear out) consists of 'fertig' (finished / ready) and 'machen' (to make) and is separable. In a simple main clause, 'fertig' is separated and placed at the end. In a subordinate clause with the verb at the end, the parts stay together. In the infinitive with 'zu', 'zu' goes between the two parts.
EXAMPLE
Wir machen die Unterlagen heute fertig.
We'll finish the documents today.
Sie wartet, bis wir die Unterlagen fertigmachen.
She is waiting until we finish the documents.
Ich habe vergessen, die Unterlagen fertigzumachen.
I forgot to finish the documents.
Typical collocations
Typical phrases include 'einen Auftrag fertigmachen' (to finish a job), 'die Unterlagen fertigmachen' (to finish preparing the documents), and 'das Essen fertigmachen' (to finish preparing the food). You can add 'für jemanden' (for someone) to specify who something is being prepared for.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du die Unterlagen für unsere Kundin fertigmachen?
Can you finish preparing the documents for our client?
Reflexive construction
With 'sich fertigmachen' (to get ready), the reflexive pronoun is in the accusative, for example 'mich', 'dich', or 'sich'. You can specify the occasion using 'für' (for) followed by the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Ich mache mich gerade für den Theaterbesuch fertig.
I'm getting ready to go to the theater.
Sentence pattern
When referring to strain or exhaustion, the cause is often the subject, and the person affected is in the accusative. In this use, 'fertigmachen' (to wear out) is often intensified with 'völlig' (completely) or 'total' (totally).
EXAMPLE
Diese ständige Unsicherheit macht mich völlig fertig.
This constant uncertainty is completely wearing me out.
Typical collocations
When referring to bullying, typical phrases include 'jemanden ständig fertigmachen' (to constantly bully someone) and 'jemanden vor anderen fertigmachen' (to bully someone in front of others). Adding 'vor anderen' (in front of others) emphasizes that other people are present and witness the humiliation.
EXAMPLE
Sein Kollege macht ihn ständig vor anderen fertig.
His colleague constantly bullies him in front of others.
Style and effect
When referring to criticism or a confrontation, 'jemanden fertigmachen' (to tear someone apart) is colloquial and sounds aggressive. Adding words such as 'verbal' (verbally) or 'mit Worten' (with words) makes it clear that the attack is verbal.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Spiel machte der Trainer die Mannschaft vor laufender Kamera verbal fertig.
After the game, the coach verbally tore the team apart on camera.
In real life
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