Dictionary verb an verb *mag- machen anmachen

Meanings

1.
to turn on, to light
(the most common verb for turning things on. And also for fires.)
How useful:
Opposite (closest): ausmachen
2.
to hit on someone
(In sense of trying to flirt)
How useful:
3.
to spark interest
(Very colloquial. Can be sexual but also about general curiosity)
How useful:
4.
to aggravate, to tease, to goad
5.
to put on, to put up
(for pictures and other stuff you hang on walls)
How useful:
Opposite (closest): abmachen
6.
to dress
(ONLY for salads)
How useful:

Examples

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My Articles

German Prefix Verbs Explained - "anmachen"

"anmachen" is one of the most useful prefix verbs. Today, we'll explore the various meanings and see what connects them all. Also: ranmachen.


Word Family

Root: *mag-

The core idea of this root was:

kneading, fitting

And its main field of use originally was “kneading” clay to build a house.
The sense has broadened a lot in the verb to make, but the original sense is still visible in most of the other relatives.

  • mass (originally: “unshaped lump of matter”)
  • match (originally: “masses fitting well”)
  • magma (originally: “thick dough like matter”)
  • among (originally: “kneaded together”)
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