das Licht ausmachen
/das lɪçt ˈʔaʊ̯smaxn̩/word by word
To turn the light off in German, you say das Licht ausmachen.
The phrase is used to describe stopping a lamp or light fixture from shining by using a switch. While ausmachen is the standard way to say turn off, it is a versatile verb that can also be used for electronic devices or for extinguishing fires. If you want to express the opposite action, such as turning the light on, you would use das Licht anmachen.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb ausmachen is a separable verb. The prefix aus means off or out, and machen means to make or do.
Which one should you use?
You can also use das Licht ausschalten to say turn the light off. This version specifically emphasizes the use of a switch or an electronic device.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using this phrase in an infinitive clause with zu, the prefix aus and the verb machen are separated by zu, resulting in the form das Licht auszumachen.
How do you pronounce it?
/das lɪçt ˈʔaʊ̯smaxn̩/
Did you know?
- In German, the verb ausmachen can also mean to agree upon something or to settle a date, such as einen Termin ausmachen.
- If you want to say that you are turning off a light, you can also use the verb auslöschen, though this sounds much more dramatic, like 'extinguishing' a flame or a light in a literary sense.
- The word ausmachen can also be used to describe someone's personality or a particular quality, such as saying something 'makes up' a certain impression.
Examples in context
- Wirst du das Licht ausmachen?Will you turn the light off?This sentence is useful for asking if someone will perform the action of turning the light off.Tatoeba #11185740 by Boshnjanin, translation #12119310 by sundown
- Soll ich das Licht ausmachen?Do you want me to turn the light off?This sentence is useful for asking if someone wants you to perform the action of turning the light off.Tatoeba #11966663 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #6915524 by CK
- Schalten Sie das Licht im Zimmer bitte aus, bevor Sie gehen.Please turn off the light in the room before you leave.
- Können Sie bitte das Licht am Ende des Flurs ausschalten?Can you please turn off the light at the end of the corridor?
- Schalte das Licht im Wohnzimmer aus, ich möchte einen Film sehen.Turn off the light in the living room, I want to watch a movie.
- Kannst du bitte das Licht in meinem Zimmer ausschalten, bevor du gehst?Can you please turn off the light in my room before you leave?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felix and Laura are in the living room before going to bed.
- FelixIch bin sehr müde.I am very tired.
- LauraKannst du bitte das Licht ausmachen?Can you please turn the light off?
- FelixJa, mache ich sofort.Yes, I'll do it immediately.
- LauraDanke, Felix.Thanks, Felix.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (das, Licht, ausmachen) and can differ in connected speech.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
