Anderes Wort Für Zu Machen

Hallo! Welcome to our little guide on finding alternatives for the phrase "zu machen" in German. As you explore Germany, Austria, or Switzerland, you'll quickly encounter this common phrase. But, like with any language, variety is the spice of life! Understanding different ways to express the same idea will not only enrich your vocabulary but also help you understand the nuances of spoken and written German.

"Zu machen" literally translates to "to make closed" or "to close." It's incredibly versatile and used in numerous contexts. However, relying solely on it can make your German sound a bit repetitive. So, let's dive into some alternatives that will make you sound more like a local!

Closing Shops, Restaurants, and Businesses

When referring to the closing of a business, like a shop or restaurant, here are some common and natural-sounding alternatives:

Specific Actions:

Schließen: This is a direct equivalent to "to close" and is a very common and useful verb. For example: "Das Geschäft schließt um 18 Uhr." (The shop closes at 6 PM.) You can also say "Die Boutique hat geschlossen" (The boutique is closed).
Zumachen: While this literally mirrors "zu machen", it's slightly more colloquial and often used in spoken language. Imagine saying, "Wir machen das Restaurant heute früher zu." (We're closing the restaurant earlier today.)
Sperren: This verb implies locking or barring something. While you wouldn't typically use it for daily closing times, it's appropriate if a place is being closed for a longer period or due to specific circumstances. "Die Bank wurde wegen Bauarbeiten gesperrt." (The bank was closed [locked/barred] due to construction work.)

Expressing the State of Being Closed:

Geschlossen: This is the adjective form of "schließen" and means "closed." It's the most common way to indicate that a place is not open. Look for the sign that says "Geschlossen" on the door!
Nicht geöffnet: Directly translates to "not opened." A bit more formal than "geschlossen," but perfectly understandable.
Dicht: This literally means "tight" or "sealed," and while not a direct synonym, it can be used colloquially to mean "closed," especially in certain regions. Think of it as meaning "tightly shut."

Talking About the Closing Time:

Ladenschluss: This noun refers to the official closing time of shops. "Ladenschluss ist um 20 Uhr." (Closing time for shops is at 8 PM.)
Betriebsschluss: Similar to "Ladenschluss" but can apply to a wider range of businesses. "Betriebsschluss ist um 17 Uhr." (Business closing time is at 5 PM.)

Example Scenarios:

"Entschuldigung, ist die Bäckerei noch geöffnet?" - "Nein, leider. Sie hat schon geschlossen." (Excuse me, is the bakery still open? - No, unfortunately. It's already closed.)

"Wann schließt das Museum?" - "Um 17 Uhr ist Schluss." (When does the museum close? - It closes at 5 PM. - Notice the alternative use of 'Schluss' meaning 'the end'.)

Closing Doors, Windows, and Objects

When referring to physically closing something like a door, window, or box, the options broaden:

Zumachen: Still perfectly acceptable and very common. "Mach bitte die Tür zu!" (Please close the door!)
Schließen: Again, a direct and widely used alternative. "Schließen Sie bitte das Fenster." (Please close the window.)
Zuklappen: This implies folding or flipping something closed, like a laptop or a book. "Klapp den Laptop zu!" (Close the laptop!)
Verriegeln: This means to lock or bolt something. "Verriegeln Sie die Tür, bevor Sie gehen." (Lock the door before you leave.)
Abschließen: Another verb meaning "to lock," often used with keys. "Ich muss das Fahrrad noch abschließen." (I still need to lock the bicycle.)

Example Scenarios:

"Ist es kalt hier drin? Kannst du bitte das Fenster schließen?" (Is it cold in here? Can you please close the window?)

"Ich habe vergessen, die Haustür abzuschließen." (I forgot to lock the front door.)

Closing Topics, Discussions, and Meetings

The phrase "zu machen" is rarely used when referring to closing a topic, discussion, or meeting. Here are better alternatives:

Beenden: This is a general term for "to end" or "to finish." "Wir müssen die Diskussion jetzt beenden." (We need to end the discussion now.)
Abschließen: Similar to "beenden," but often implies bringing something to a conclusion or finalizing it. "Wir werden das Projekt nächste Woche abschließen." (We will finish the project next week.)
Schließen: Can be used metaphorically to close a chapter or a topic. "Wir sollten dieses Kapitel jetzt schließen." (We should close this chapter now.)
Vertagen: This means to postpone or adjourn something, often a meeting or discussion. "Wir müssen die Sitzung auf nächste Woche vertagen." (We need to postpone the meeting until next week.)

Example Scenarios:

"Lass uns dieses Thema beenden und zum nächsten Punkt übergehen." (Let's end this topic and move on to the next point.)

"Die Konferenz wurde mit einer Dankesrede abgeschlossen." (The conference was concluded with a thank-you speech.)

Figurative Uses and Idioms

Sometimes, "zu machen" or its alternatives can be used figuratively. Here are a few examples:

Ein Auge zudrücken: This idiom means "to turn a blind eye" or "to overlook something." It literally translates to "to press an eye closed."
Die Augen verschließen vor: This means "to close one's eyes to" something, implying ignoring or denying something.
Schluss machen: This phrase means "to break up" with someone. "Sie hat mit ihm Schluss gemacht." (She broke up with him.) While it uses the word 'Schluss' that we saw earlier referring to 'the end', here it has a specific meaning within the idiom.

Example Scenarios:

"Der Polizist drückte ein Auge zu, weil es das erste Vergehen des jungen Mannes war." (The policeman turned a blind eye because it was the young man's first offense.)

"Man darf die Augen nicht vor den Problemen verschließen." (One must not close one's eyes to the problems.)

Regional Variations

Just like with any language, there are regional variations in how these phrases are used. In some areas, certain alternatives might be more common than others. Don't be afraid to listen to how locals speak and pick up on their preferred expressions. You might find that in some parts of Germany, "zumachen" is perfectly acceptable in more formal contexts, while in others, it's considered more casual.

Conclusion

Mastering these alternatives to "zu machen" will significantly improve your German and make your conversations sound more natural and nuanced. Remember to pay attention to the context, and don't be afraid to experiment with different options. With a little practice, you'll be confidently closing doors, ending discussions, and breaking up (hopefully not!) in German like a pro!

Viel Erfolg! (Good luck!) And have a wonderful time exploring the German-speaking world!