German and English are both Germanic languages and therefore often very similar. Some vocabulary is almost exactly the same (cognites), some expressions are used in both languages. But while some phrases can be almost translated literally, some have a total different meaning if translated word by word, some just sound silly.
"Machen" Does Not Always Mean "Make"
Two important and often used verbs who should not be mixed up when translating from English into German and vice versa are "to make“, and "to take“. Translated into German those verbs mean "machen“ and "nehmen“. But careful: "Machen“ not only means "to make“, in the sense of to produce, create or build, but also "to do“, synonymous with the German "tun“, and is therefore use in a much wider context.
Please note that "machen" can also mean "to make“, as in "to cause to be“. "Nehmen“ generally means "to take“ but is used differently in certain expressions.
Expressions With "Machen“ Like in English
Many expressions with "machen“ can be translated quite literally and should be easy to remember. All mentioned examples use the accusative for the direct object.
- Eine Ausnahme machen – to make an exception
- Ein Aussage machen – to make a statement
- Einen Fehler machen – to make a mistake
- Fortschritte machen – to make progress
- Jemandem eine Freude machen – to make someone happy
- Musik machen – to make music
- Lärm machen – to make noise
- Einen Unterschied machen – to make a difference
- Ein Vermögen machen – to make a fortune
- Einen Versuch machen – to make an attempt
Expressions With "Machen“ not Like in English
Some expressions with "machen“ cannot be translated literally into English. They need a different verb to express the same idea. Make sure not to translate the English expressions with "to take“ literally with the German term "nehmen“. This would sound quite silly.
- Urlaub machen – to go on vacation
- Einen Ausflug machen – to go on an outing
- Ein Foto machen – to take a picture
- ein Examen machen – to take/do exams
- Eine Pause machen – to take a break
- Einen Schritt machen – to take a step
- Schulden machen – to incur debts
- Jemandem (dative) Sorgen machen – to cause someone to worry
- Einen Spaziergang machen – to go for a walk
- Unsinn machen – to do something silly
- Erfahrung machen - have experience
- Geschäfte machen – to do business
- Mach doch! – Hurry up!
- Spaß machen - it is fun
- Etwas macht mir (dative) Spaß – I have fun with something.
Most expressions with machen use the accusative in the direct-object complement. Pay close attention to those phrases which require the dative.
"To Make" Does not Always Mean "Machen"
- to make friends - Freundschaften schließen
- I can't make it - ich schaffe es nicht
Many expressions with the German term "machen“ mirror the English one. Since it easy to get fooled, it is important to pay close attention to the second group, when the German term "machen“ can’t just be translated into English.
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