German word

aktivieren

Pronunciation

IPA/aktiˈviːʁən/

Meaning

  • verbenable

Example

Ich aktiviere die Benachrichtigungen.

I enable notifications.

Illustration for aktivieren (enable)

More examples

Um den Dienst zu nutzen, müssen Sie Ihren Account aktivieren.

To use the service, you must activate your account.

Core concept

A dormant function responds to a command and becomes available for use.

Common phrases

  • Benachrichtigungen aktivieren

    activate notifications

  • Account aktivieren

    activate account

  • Funktion aktivieren

    activate function

Similar words

einschalten: Switch on a powered device or machine.
anmachen: Switch on a device or light using a button or switch.
freischalten: Remove a lock on access or a feature to allow its use.

Definition in German

etwas in Betrieb setzen oder eine Funktion wirksam machen

Word origin

German aktivieren is formed from aktiv with the verb ending -ieren, and aktiv ultimately comes from Latin activus.

Usage tips

  • For switching on a device, einschalten is usually more idiomatic, while aktivieren commonly presents the action as enabling a function or service.

Other meanings

  • switch onverb
  • triggerverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Aktivierungactivationnoun
  • aktivierbaractivatableadjective

Word lists with this word