to fasten / to determine
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to fasten
To securely attach something (e.g., a boat, a tent, a load) to a fixed point with a rope or another fastening so that it cannot move.
Der Kapitän befahl der Mannschaft, das Schiff im Hafen festzumachen.
The captain ordered the crew to fasten the ship in the harbor.
to base on
To base an assessment, a conclusion, or an argument on a particular fact or criterion.
Man kann den Erfolg eines Projekts nicht allein an den finanziellen Gewinnen festmachen.
You cannot base the success of a project solely on financial profits.
to set
To set, determine, or agree on something in a binding way.
Können wir schon einen genauen Termin für das nächste Treffen festmachen?
Can we already set an exact date for the next meeting?
'Festmachen' (to fasten / to determine) is a separable verb. The prefix 'fest-' comes at the end in a main clause, stays connected to the verb in subordinate clauses, and in the infinitive 'zu' comes between 'fest' and 'machen'.
Die Matrosen machen das Boot am Kai fest.
The sailors fasten the boat to the quay.
In the literal meaning, it is often stated where something is fastened. For this, the preposition 'an' is used, followed by the dative.
Wir müssen das Zelt mit Heringen im Boden festmachen.
We have to fasten the tent to the ground with pegs.
In the figurative meaning 'stützen auf' (to base on), the structure is always 'etwas (Akkusativ) an etwas (Dativ) festmachen'. The thing one is basing something on is in the dative.
Die Polizei konnte den Verdacht an keinen Beweisen festmachen.
The police could not base the suspicion on any evidence.
When it is about agreeing on something in a binding way, 'festmachen' (to set / to agree on) is often used with abstract nouns such as 'Termin' (appointment/date), 'Preis' (price), or 'Details' (details).
Lass uns die Details für den Vertrag nächste Woche festmachen.
Let’s settle the details for the contract next week.
to invest / create / dock
With a boat, anlegen can refer to reaching the dock, including remaining there. Festmachen focuses more precisely on securing the boat with ropes or other means. Anlegen is therefore suitable for the arrival, while festmachen describes the specific step of securing the boat.
Der Bootsführer macht das Boot anschließend mit zwei Leinen am Steg fest.
The boat operator then secures the boat to the pier with two ropes.
Das Boot legt am Steg an.
The boat docks at the pier.
