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selbstgemacht
homemade
Made by a person themselves and not bought or professionally produced. Often refers to food, clothing, or gifts.
example
Zum Nachtisch gibt es selbstgemachten Apfelkuchen.
For dessert, there is homemade apple cake.
selbstgemacht
homemade / self-inflicted
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word composition
The word is a clear compound of 'selbst' (self) and 'gemacht' (made), the past participle of 'machen' (to make). So it literally means something that you made yourself.
EXAMPLE
Diese selbstgemachte Limonade schmeckt fantastisch.
This homemade lemonade tastes fantastic.
Context clue
The meaning depends heavily on the context. If the word refers to concrete things like food or gifts, it has a positive meaning. If it refers to abstract things like problems or stress, it means 'selbst verschuldet' (self-inflicted) and is negative.
EXAMPLE
Ich bringe einen selbstgemachten Salat zur Party mit.
I'm bringing a homemade salad to the party.
Typical collocations
In the positive meaning, 'selbstgemacht' (homemade) is very often combined with food, drinks, gifts, or handicrafts. Typical examples are: selbstgemachte Marmelade (homemade jam), selbstgemachte Pasta (homemade pasta), ein selbstgemachtes Geschenk (a homemade gift).
EXAMPLE
Ich liebe die selbstgemachte Marmelade von meiner Oma.
I love my grandma's homemade jam.
Typical collocations
In the negative meaning, 'selbstgemacht' (self-inflicted) almost always refers to abstract problems. Typical combinations are: ein selbstgemachtes Problem (a self-inflicted problem), selbstgemachter Stress (self-inflicted stress), or selbstgemachtes Leid (self-inflicted suffering).
EXAMPLE
Der ganze Stress bei der Arbeit ist selbstgemacht.
All the stress at work is self-inflicted.
Compare with
selbstgemacht vs industriell
industrial
'industriell' and 'selbstgemacht' are often opposites when it comes to how things are made. 'industriell' means that something is produced in a factory or with machines in large quantities. 'selbstgemacht' means that a person made something themselves, for example at home or for friends. With food, clothing, or gifts, the contrast is especially clear: 'industriell' suggests large-scale production, while 'selbstgemacht' suggests personal work.
selbstgemacht
Bring bitte den selbstgemachten Kuchen mit, den du gestern gebacken hast.
Please bring the homemade cake that you baked yesterday.
industriell
Viele Bäckereien verwenden heute industriell hergestellte Teiglinge.
Many bakeries today use industrially produced dough pieces.
In real life
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