klicken
to click
To briefly press a button on a computer mouse or touchpad in order to trigger an action on the screen.
EXAMPLE
Klicken Sie auf den Link, um die Webseite zu öffnen.
Click on the link to open the website.
klicken
to click
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Meanings
klicken
to click
To produce a short, hard sound, like when two hard objects hit each other.
EXAMPLE
Das Schloss klickte, als ich den Schlüssel umdrehte.
The lock clicked when I turned the key.
klicken
to click
(Colloquial) To suddenly understand or grasp something; to have a realization. Often used in the expression 'es hat geklickt' (it clicked).
EXAMPLE
Nach seiner Erklärung hat es bei mir endlich geklickt.
After his explanation, it finally clicked for me.
klicken
to click
(Colloquial) To get along well with someone right away; to feel an immediate connection.
EXAMPLE
Wir haben uns auf der Party kennengelernt und es hat sofort zwischen uns geklickt.
We met at the party and it clicked between us right away.
Usage tips
Sentence structure with preposition
When you want to say what you are clicking on, always use the preposition 'auf' followed by the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Um fortzufahren, müssen Sie auf den „Weiter“-Button klicken.
To continue, you must click on the 'Weiter' button.
Context clue: sound
In this meaning, the subject of the sentence is usually a mechanical object that makes a short, hard sound. Typical subjects are 'das Schloss' (the lock), 'die Tür' (the door), or 'die Kamera' (the camera).
EXAMPLE
Die Autotür klickte leise, als sie ins Schloss fiel.
The car door clicked softly as it shut.
Fixed expression (colloquial)
The colloquial expression 'es hat bei jemandem geklickt' means that someone suddenly understands something. The person who has the realization is in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Zuerst verstand ich die Aufgabe nicht, aber dann hat es bei mir geklickt.
At first I didn't understand the task, but then it clicked for me.
Fixed expression (colloquial)
When you want to say that two or more people immediately like each other, you use the colloquial expression 'es hat zwischen ihnen geklickt' (it clicked between them).
EXAMPLE
Schon beim ersten Treffen hat es zwischen den beiden geklickt.
It clicked between the two of them at their very first meeting.
Compare with
klicken vs drücken
to press / hug
Drücken refers more to the physical movement of pressing the mouse button. Klicken describes briefly pressing it to trigger an action on the screen. If you mean the button itself, drücken is appropriate; if you mean a link or an on-screen action, people usually say klicken.
klicken
Klicken Sie auf den Link, damit das Menü erscheint.
Click the link to make the menu appear.
drücken
Drücken Sie die linke Maustaste, bis das Menü erscheint.
Press the left mouse button until the menu appears.
In real life
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