Both verbs can describe doing, but many everyday expressions select one particular verb.
The idea
Use Hausaufgaben machen and eine Pause machen, but leidtun, wehtun and einen Gefallen tun. Learn the phrase as a whole; a universal do-versus-make translation will not work.
| Form / Muster | Beispiel / Gegensatz |
|---|---|
| machen | Hausaufgaben / eine Pause / Sport machen |
| tun | leidtun / wehtun / einen Gefallen tun |
| Perfekt | hat gemacht / hat getan |
Compare benutzen and verwenden for tools, materials and purposes, including their overlap and the special meaning of using a person. German usage: benutzen / verwenden
Examples
- Ich mache heute die Hausaufgaben.
- Was machst du am Wochenende?
- Das tut mir leid.
- Mein Knie tut weh.
- Du tust mir einen Gefallen.
- Wir machen morgen eine Pause.
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Watch out
Machen and tun are not interchangeable in every expression. Learn eine Pause machen, jemandem einen Gefallen tun and Das tut mir leid as complete phrases.
Try it yourself
Ich ___ eine Pause. (mache / tue)
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mache
Answer: “mache”. This meaning uses the verb in this established combination; learn the whole expression.
Das ___ mir leid. (macht / tut)
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tut
Answer: “tut”. This meaning uses the verb in this established combination; learn the whole expression.
Was hast du für ihn ___? (tun)
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getan
Answer: “getan”. The auxiliary already carries the tense and person; the final verb needs its past participle.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Ich ___ eine Pause. (mache / tue)
Das ___ mir leid. (macht / tut)
Was hast du für ihn ___? (tun)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write a two-line conversation around “Ich mache heute die Hausaufgaben.”. Use the target expression in your reply and make its intended meaning clear.