German word

wettmachen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈvɛtˌmaxən/

Meaning

  • verbmake up for

Example

Er macht den Verlust wett.

He makes up for the loss.

Illustration for wettmachen (make up for)

More examples

Durch harte Arbeit hat er den Rückstand wettgemacht.

Through hard work, he made up for the deficit.

Core concept

A tilted balance returns to level when a replacement weight fills the missing side.

Common phrases

  • einen Rückstand wettmachen

    make up for a deficit

  • einen Nachteil wettmachen

    make up for a disadvantage

Similar words

ausgleichen: Bring unequal amounts into balance by filling the shortfall.
kompensieren: Make up for a loss or deficit through replacement or payment.
wiedergutmachen: Set right damage or injustice by taking restorative action.
vergüten: Provide payment for expenses or damage as financial recompense.

Definition in German

wettmachen bedeutet, einen früher entstandenen Nachteil durch Ersatz oder Ausgleich wieder gutzumachen.

Word origin

The compound wettmachen joins the older adjective wett, meaning equal or balanced, with machen, meaning make.

Usage tips

  • As a separable verb, it appears as macht ... wett in main clauses, while the infinitive remains wettmachen.

Other meanings

  • make amends forverb

Word lists with this word