das Licht ausschalten
/das lɪçt ˈʔaʊ̯sʃaltn̩/word by word
To turn off the lights in German is das Licht ausschalten.
This phrase is used to describe the action of stopping the flow of electricity to a lamp or a light fixture. While das Licht ausschalten is the standard way to express this, you will frequently hear the colloquial alternative das Licht ausmachen used in everyday speech.
Which one should you use?
In German, the phrase uses the singular das Licht (the light) even if you are referring to multiple light sources in a room, whereas English often uses the plural 'the lights'. Additionally, ausschalten is the standard verb, while ausmachen is a very common colloquial alternative used in everyday speech.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the singular form das Licht (the light) to represent the light in a room, regardless of how many actual light sources there are.
How do you pronounce it?
/das lɪçt ˈʔaʊ̯sʃaltn̩/
Did you know?
- The verb ausschalten can also be used to describe 'switching off' or 'disabling' a person's influence or a competitor in a sports match.
- The word ausmachen can also be used to describe extinguishing a candle, whereas ausschalten is strictly for electrical devices.
- While ausmachen is used for lights, it can also mean 'to make a date' or 'to agree on a deal' depending on the context.
Examples in context
- Könntest du das Licht ausschalten?Could you turn off the lights?This sentence is useful for asking someone to perform the action of turning off the lights using the form das Licht ausschalten.Tatoeba #8768943 by wolfgangth, translation #279151 by CK
- Schalten Sie das Licht aus, bitteTurn off the light, please
- Kannst du bitte das Licht ausmachen?Can you please turn off the lights?
- Ich muss noch das Licht ausschalten.I still have to turn off the light.
Example conversation
Julian and Sarah are getting ready for bed in their apartment.
- JulianSarah, kannst du bitte das Licht ausschalten?Sarah, can you please turn off the light?
- SarahJa, ich mache das sofort.Yes, I will do that immediately.
- JulianDanke, gute Nacht.Thanks, good night.
- SarahGute Nacht, Julian.Good night, Julian.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (das, Licht, ausschalten) and can differ in connected speech.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
