zurücksetzen
/t͡suˈʁʏkˌzɛt͡sn̩/
To back up (as a security measure) in German is zurücksetzen.
The correct verb to use when you mean to back up or secure data is sichern. If you are referring to the copy itself, use the noun die Sicherung. In modern IT contexts, German speakers frequently use the anglicism ein Backup machen colloquially.
Meaning: To copy as a security measure (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase Sicherungskopie machen (to make a backup), you can replace the verb machen with erstellen to mean 'to create a backup' or with anfertigen to mean 'to produce a backup'.
How do you pronounce it?
/tsuˈʁʏkˌzɛtsn̩/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use zurücksetzen to mean backing up data. In German, this verb actually means 'to reset' or 'to restore to a previous state'. Instead, use sichern to mean 'to back up' or 'to secure'.
Did you know?
- While sichern is used for data backups, it is also the term used by mountain climbers to 'belay' their partner.
- Because Sicherung also means 'fuse', a German speaker saying die Sicherung ist raus means a circuit breaker has tripped, not that their data backup is gone.
- The verb sichern is used for both 'backing up' files and 'securing' a physical perimeter in a military or police context.
Examples in context
- Vergewissere dich, dass du deine Dateien sicherst.Make sure you back up your files.
- Ich habe eine Sicherungskopie meiner Dokumente gemacht.I made a backup of my documents.
- Vorsichtig rückwärts fahren!Carefully back up!
- Er hat das Auto ein Stück zurückgesetzt.He backed up the car a bit.
Example conversation
Felix and Hannah are working on a computer project together.
- FelixHast du alles gespeichert, Hannah?Did you save everything, Hannah?
- HannahJa, aber ich werde die Daten noch zurücksetzen.Yes, but I will back up the data still.
- FelixDas ist eine gute Idee.That is a good idea.
- HannahSicherheit geht vor.Safety comes first.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry zurücksetzen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
