Switch on a light or a device with anmachen and einschalten, then recognise why the same verbs change meaning with other objects.
The idea
For lights and devices, anmachen and einschalten often overlap. Anmachen is conversational; einschalten is neutral and common in instructions. Both are separable: mach an, schalte ein; angemacht, eingeschaltet.
| Pattern / form | German example |
|---|---|
| Licht / Geräte | das Licht anmachen / einschalten |
| trennbare Hauptsatzformen | ich mache an / ich schalte ein |
| Perfekt | hat angemacht / hat eingeschaltet |
| anmachen / einschalten + Objekt | den Salat anmachen / einen Anwalt einschalten |
Practise the supporting grammar before changing the people or tense in these examples: German separable verbs: prefixes and sentence order
Read the whole construction
At home, Mach bitte das Licht an is natural. A device manual may say Schalten Sie das Gerät ein; the more neutral verb fits the register. Both sentences place the prefix at the end, but with müssen the infinitive stays whole: Du musst das Gerät einschalten. Other objects need their own meaning: Salat anmachen means dress a salad.
Examples
- Mach bitte das Licht an.Please turn on the light.
- Schalten Sie das Gerät ein.Switch on the device.
- Ich habe das Radio angemacht.I have turned on the radio.
- Du musst zuerst den Computer einschalten.You have to turn on the computer first.
- Wir machen den Salat mit Öl und Essig an.We are dressing the salad with oil and vinegar.
- Die Firma hat einen Anwalt eingeschaltet.The company has called in a lawyer.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic German voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No German device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
The object matters: jemanden anmachen can mean flirt with or confront someone; die Polizei einschalten means involve the police.
Try it yourself
Mach bitte das Licht ___. (anmachen)
Show answer or example answer
an
an — The separable prefix goes at the end of this main clause.
Die Firma schaltet einen Anwalt ein. Was tut sie? (Hilfe holen / ein Gerät starten)
Show answer or example answer
Hilfe holen
Hilfe holen — With a lawyer as object, einschalten means involve that person professionally.
Ich habe den Computer ___. (einschalten)
Show answer or example answer
eingeschaltet
eingeschaltet — The auxiliary is already present; use the past participle shown in the reference.
Du musst das Licht ___. (anmachen, Infinitiv)
Show answer or example answer
anmachen
anmachen — After the modal verb, the infinitive stays together at the end.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Mach bitte das Licht ___. (anmachen)
Die Firma schaltet einen Anwalt ein. Was tut sie? (Hilfe holen / ein Gerät starten)
Ich habe den Computer ___. (einschalten)
Du musst das Licht ___. (anmachen, Infinitiv)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
Sign up for free to save your practice results in your account and carry on with the story in the game.
Sign up to saveI already have an accountUse it today
Write two connected sentences about your own situation using these patterns: Ich mache ... an. / Ich habe ... eingeschaltet.