01
hochfahren
to boot up
To start a computer, machine, or technical system and make it ready for operation.
example
Warte kurz, ich muss nur schnell meinen Laptop hochfahren.
Wait a second, I just need to quickly boot up my laptop.
hochfahren
to boot up / ramp up / drive up
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Hochfahren' is a separable verb. The prefix 'hoch' comes at the end in main clauses. In subordinate clauses or in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Ich fahre schnell den Computer hoch.
I’m quickly booting up the computer.
Important auxiliary verb
Pay attention to the correct auxiliary verb in the perfect tense! For starting technology, e.g. a computer, and increasing production, 'haben' is used. For movement, e.g. driving up a mountain, and sudden reactions, e.g. startling, 'sein' is used.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe meinen Laptop noch nicht hochgefahren.
I haven’t booted up my laptop yet.
Context clue
The object or context makes the meaning clear. 'Computer' or 'System' points to technology. 'Produktion' (production) or 'Leistung' (output/performance) points to business or industry. A place like 'Berg' (mountain) or 'Straße' (road) points to literal driving. An emotional reaction without an object points to startling or flaring up.
EXAMPLE
Können Sie die Produktion wieder hochfahren?
Can you ramp up production again?
Typical collocations
In a technical context, 'hochfahren' (to boot up) is almost always used with devices such as 'den Computer' (the computer), 'den Laptop' (the laptop), 'den Rechner' (the computer), or 'das System' (the system).
EXAMPLE
Bevor wir anfangen können, muss ich erst das System hochfahren.
Before we can begin, I first have to boot up the system.
Use without an object
In the meaning 'aufschrecken' (to startle/start up) or 'aufbrausen' (to flare up), 'hochfahren' is always used without an accusative object. It describes a reaction of the person who is the subject of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Als er die Kritik hörte, ist er sofort wütend hochgefahren.
When he heard the criticism, he immediately started up angrily.
Compare with
hochfahren vs starten
to start
'starten' and 'hochfahren' can both mean that a technical system or machine starts operating. 'starten' is more general: you can start a car, a program, a project, or an event. 'hochfahren' is used especially for computers, machines, and technical systems when they are made ready for operation. It can also mean that production is slowly ramped up. Learners may confuse the words because both fit in technical contexts. 'starten' is more neutral; 'hochfahren' sounds more technical and often describes the path from being switched off to being in operation.
hochfahren
Vor dem Termin fuhr ich den Computer hoch und öffnete die Präsentation.
Before the appointment, I booted up the computer and opened the presentation.
starten
Sie startet das Programm, weil sie die Datei bearbeiten muss.
She launches the program because she needs to edit the file.
In real life
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