The idea
“Es sich bequem machen” has a dative reflexive pronoun: mach es dir, machen Sie es sich, macht es euch bequem. Ruhig in an imperative signals “feel free”. Auf dem Sofa is dative because it names the place. Hinsetzen and danebenstellen are separable, but after modals they stay whole at the end. “Sich etwas aussuchen” means to pick something for yourself.
Other ways to say it
“Setz dich doch!” – Casual; doch makes the invitation friendly and encouraging.
“Nehmen Sie bitte Platz.” – Formal; typical for visitors, waiting rooms and interviews.
“Fühl dich wie zu Hause!” – Casual and warm; for friends staying a while.
Examples
- Mach es dir ruhig auf dem Sofa bequem.Make yourself comfortable on the sofa.
- Soll ich die Tasche danebenstellen?Shall I put the bag beside it?
- Ja, dort ist noch genug Platz.Yes, there is still enough space there.
- Ich sitze gern am anderen Ende.I would like to sit at the other end.
- Such dir einfach den Platz aus, der dir passt.Just choose the place that suits you.
- Danke, hier kann ich mich gut hinsetzen.Thanks; I can sit comfortably here.
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Watch out
“Mach dich bequem.” → “Mach es dir bequem.”: The fixed phrase needs both es and the dative reflexive dir. “Mach dich bequem” is a literal copy of English and sounds wrong.
Try it yourself
Translate into German: Make yourself comfortable on the sofa.
Show answer or example answer
Mach es dir ruhig auf dem Sofa bequem.
Mach is the du imperative; “es dir … bequem” frames the phrase. Ruhig softens the order, and auf dem Sofa is dative for the place.
Put the words in order: dort / genug / ist / Ja / noch / Platz
Show answer or example answer
Ja, dort ist noch genug Platz.
Dort points to the place; noch means still available. Genug Platz has no article, as is usual with genug.
Write this sentence in German: Thanks; I can sit comfortably here.
Show answer or example answer
Danke, hier kann ich mich gut hinsetzen.
Hier is first, so kann comes second. “Sich hinsetzen” is reflexive with mich in the accusative; gut means comfortably.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Translate into German: Make yourself comfortable on the sofa.
Mach es dir ruhig auf dem Sofa bequem.
Put the words in order: dort / genug / ist / Ja / noch / Platz
Ja, dort ist noch genug Platz.
Write this sentence in German: Thanks; I can sit comfortably here.
Danke, hier kann ich mich gut hinsetzen.
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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A new neighbour comes in for coffee. Invite her to sit wherever she likes, using es sich bequem machen with Sie, and offer to take her coat.