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
selbstgemacht
self-inflicted
Caused by one's own actions or decisions; one's own fault. Usually refers to problems or difficulties.
EXAMPLE
Seine finanziellen Probleme sind leider komplett selbstgemacht.
Unfortunately, his financial problems are completely self-inflicted.
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 hausgemacht
homemade / self-inflicted
Hausgemacht and selbstgemacht can both express that food was made personally rather than bought. Hausgemacht emphasizes that something is made in one’s own household or establishment, while selbstgemacht highlights that a particular person made it themselves. Selbstgemacht is often more suitable when someone’s own personal work is the focus.
selbstgemacht
Den Kuchen für das Fest habe ich selbstgemacht.
I made the cake for the party myself.
hausgemacht
Das Café bietet hausgemachte Kuchen aus der eigenen Küche an.
The café offers homemade cakes from its own kitchen.
In real life
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