plattmachen
to flatten
To make something flat or level by pressing, rolling, or pushing it down.
EXAMPLE
Mit der Walze macht der Bauarbeiter den Boden platt.
The construction worker flattens the ground with the roller.
plattmachen
to flatten / demolish / crush
plattmachen – machte platt – hat plattgemacht
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Meanings
plattmachen
to demolish
To completely destroy or tear down something, especially a building or facility.
EXAMPLE
Der Bagger macht das alte Haus platt.
The excavator demolishes the old house.
jemanden plattmachen
to crush someone
Colloquially, to decisively defeat or overwhelm someone.
EXAMPLE
Unsere Mannschaft hat den Gegner im Finale plattgemacht.
Our team crushed the opponents in the final.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry plattmachen, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Present
| ich | mache platt |
|---|---|
| du | machst platt |
| er/sie/es | macht platt |
| wir | machen platt |
| ihr | macht platt |
| sie | machen platt |
Simple past
| ich | machte platt |
|---|---|
| du | machtest platt |
| er/sie/es | machte platt |
| wir | machten platt |
| ihr | machtet platt |
| sie | machten platt |
Perfect
with haben
| ich | habe plattgemacht |
|---|---|
| du | hast plattgemacht |
| er/sie/es | hat plattgemacht |
| wir | haben plattgemacht |
| ihr | habt plattgemacht |
| sie | haben plattgemacht |
Commands
| du | mach platt! mache platt! |
|---|---|
| ihr | macht platt! |
| Sie | machen Sie platt! |
Past perfect
| ich | hatte plattgemacht |
|---|---|
| du | hattest plattgemacht |
| er/sie/es | hatte plattgemacht |
| wir | hatten plattgemacht |
| ihr | hattet plattgemacht |
| sie | hatten plattgemacht |
Future
| ich | werde plattmachen |
|---|---|
| du | wirst plattmachen |
| er/sie/es | wird plattmachen |
| wir | werden plattmachen |
| ihr | werdet plattmachen |
| sie | werden plattmachen |
Subjunctive I
| ich | mache platt |
|---|---|
| du | machest platt |
| er/sie/es | mache platt |
| wir | machen platt |
| ihr | machet platt |
| sie | machen platt |
Used for reported speech.
Subjunctive II
| ich | machte platt |
|---|---|
| du | machtest platt |
| er/sie/es | machte platt |
| wir | machten platt |
| ihr | machtet platt |
| sie | machten platt |
Used for wishes and “would”.
Other forms
| infinitive | plattmachen |
|---|---|
| with zu | plattzumachen |
| present participle | plattmachend |
| past participle | plattgemacht |
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Plattmachen' consists of 'platt' (flat) and 'machen' (to make) and is used as a separable verb. In a main clause, 'platt' comes at the end of the sentence; in a subordinate clause, 'plattmachen' stays together. With the infinitive marker 'zu', 'zu' comes between the two parts.
EXAMPLE
Die Maschine macht den Karton platt.
The machine flattens the cardboard box.
Weil der Bagger das Gebäude plattmacht, muss die Straße gesperrt werden.
Because the excavator is demolishing the building, the road has to be closed.
Es dauert nicht lange, den leeren Karton plattzumachen.
It doesn't take long to flatten the empty cardboard box.
Colloquial style
'Plattmachen' is colloquial and sounds especially natural in conversations, sports reports, or emotional statements. Depending on the context, it can be used literally, destructively, or figuratively.
EXAMPLE
Vor dem Spiel tönte der Trainer, seine Mannschaft werde den Favoriten plattmachen.
Before the game, the coach boasted that his team would crush the favorites.
Context clue
An object or surface as the object usually points to flattening. A building or facility points to destruction, while a person as the object points to a decisive defeat.
EXAMPLE
Der Traktor hat das Gras am Feldrand plattgemacht.
The tractor flattened the grass at the edge of the field.
Die Stadt ließ die baufällige Sporthalle plattmachen.
The city had the dilapidated sports hall demolished.
Die Boxerin hat ihre Gegnerin schon in der zweiten Runde plattgemacht.
The boxer crushed her opponent in the second round.
Typical collocations
In the sense of flattening, 'plattmachen' is often used with surfaces or lightweight objects. Typical collocations include 'den Boden plattmachen' (to flatten the ground), 'eine Dose plattmachen' (to crush a can), or 'einen Karton plattmachen' (to flatten a cardboard box).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Umzug machte sie die leeren Kartons platt.
After the move, she flattened the empty cardboard boxes.
Demolition context
In the sense of destroying or demolishing, 'plattmachen' is often used with buildings, houses, factories, or facilities. An excavator or a demolition project is often mentioned in this context.
EXAMPLE
Für das Neubauprojekt wurde die ganze Fabrikanlage plattgemacht.
The entire factory complex was demolished for the new construction project.
Sports context
In the sense of decisively defeating someone, 'plattmachen' often appears in reports about sports games or competitions. Common objects include 'ein Gegner' (an opponent), 'eine Mannschaft' (a team), or 'ein Favorit' (a favorite).
EXAMPLE
Der Tabellenführer hat den Aufsteiger zu Hause mit 6:0 plattgemacht.
The league leaders crushed the newly promoted team 6–0 at home.
In real life
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