anmachen

/ˈanˌmaxn̩/

verb A2

der (masc.) die (fem.) das (neut.)

Underline = a spelling pattern that usually signals that gender.

Forms

present: macht an
past: machte an
perfect: hat angemacht

Meaning

to switch on; to chat up

Built from an (on, at) + machen (to make).
- Mach bitte das Licht an.
  
  Please switch the light on.
- Mach bitte das Licht an, es ist zu dunkel. Ich sehe sonst nichts.
  
  Please switch on the light, it is too dark. Otherwise I cannot see anything.

Made of

an on, at
machen to make

Similar words

plaudern

anmachen primarily means "to switch on," and colloquially "to chat up," to flirt with someone; plaudern is general friendly conversation, "to chat" — a different, flirtatious sense.

Practice

1 What does anmachen mean?

2 Fill the gap: Mach bitte das Licht ___.

3 Which fingerprint chart matches anmachen?

verbseparablecompound

Last updated 2026-09-24