German word

zumachen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈtsuːˌmaxən/

Meaning

  • verbclose

Example

Ich mache die Tür zu.

I close the door.

Illustration for zumachen (close)

More examples

Vor dem Schlafen sollst du die Augen zumachen.

Before going to sleep, you should close your eyes.

Core concept

A hand moves a door, window, or shop entrance into a shut state, stopping access.

Common phrases

  • die Tür zumachen

    close the door

  • das Fenster zumachen

    close the window

  • die Augen zumachen

    close your eyes

Similar words

schließen: To close a door or window and block access through it.
abschließen: To secure a door with a lock against opening from outside.
zuziehen: To draw a door or curtain closed, sometimes with a sharp swing.
verschließen: To close a container or box firmly to keep its contents inside.

Definition in German

Etwas durch Schließen oder Verschließen in einen geschlossenen Zustand bringen; im Alltag gebräuchlich für Türen, Fenster und Läden.

Word origin

The separable verb combines zu, meaning 'closed' or 'to', with machen, 'make', and extends from shutting something to closing a shop.

Usage tips

  • In a main clause, zu separates: 'Ich mache die Tür zu'; in the perfect, it stays together as 'Ich habe die Tür zugemacht'.

Other meanings

  • close downverb

Opposites

Related words

  • das Zumachenclosingnoun
  • zugemachtclosedadjective

Word lists with this word