anziehen
/ˈantsiːən/
The English verb 'tighten' can be translated into German as anziehen or straffen.
Meaning: to make tighter (verb)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| anziehen | /ˈantsiːən/ |
| straffen | /ˈʃtʁafn̩/ |
Both words mean to tighten, but they are used for different types of objects. Use anziehen for mechanical tasks and straffen for increasing tension in a structure or surface.
Which one should you use?
Use anziehen when referring to tightening mechanical fasteners like screws, bolts or nuts. In contrast, use straffen when referring to tightening something to make it more taut, such as a rope, a sail or skin.
How does it change in a sentence?
anziehen is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix an- moves to the end of the sentence or attaches to the end of the conjugated verb (e.g., anzieht). The past participle used to form perfect tenses is angezogen.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈantsiːən/
Did you know?
- Because anziehen literally means 'to pull on', it can also be used to describe someone's physical attractiveness, such as 'jemanden anziehen', meaning 'to attract someone'.
- The word straff can describe a taut rope but also a person who is very strict or severe in their demeanor.
- The verb anziehen is also the standard way to say 'to put on' clothes, such as 'ich ziehe eine Jacke an'.
Examples in context
- Du musst die Schrauben da anziehen.You have to tighten those screws.This sentence is useful for saying you must tighten specific screws using anziehen.Tatoeba #2344948 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2259946 by _undertoad
- Die Schrauben nicht zu fest anziehen!Don't tighten the screws too much.This sentence is useful for warning not to tighten screws too much using anziehen.Tatoeba #13937803 by Waldelfe, translation #10734168 by megamanenm
- Die Muttern mit einem Schraubenschlüssel anziehen!Use a spanner to tighten the nuts.This sentence is useful for instructing someone to use a spanner to tighten nuts using anziehen.Tatoeba #12421270 by Waldelfe, translation #12361704 by sundown
- Können Sie bitte die Schraube festziehen?Could you please tighten the screw?
- Kannst du bitte das Seil festziehen?Can you please tighten the rope?
- Ich werde den Wasserhahn festziehen.I will tighten the faucet.
- Bitte schraube die Mutter richtig an.Please screw the nut on tightly.
Example conversation
Felix and Sarah are assembling a new piece of furniture.
- FelixKannst du bitte diese Schraube anziehen?Can you please tighten this screw?
- SarahJa, ich mache das sofort, Felix.Yes, I'll do that right away, Felix.
- FelixPass auf, dass du sie nicht zu fest anziehst.Be careful not to tighten it too much.
- SarahKeine Sorge, Sarah passt schon auf.Don't worry, Sarah will be careful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tighten” translations and entries anziehen, straffen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
