Before you start
Meet einschalten
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
ein- + schalten
- ein-
- into an active or engaged state
- schalten
- to switch
You switch something into an active state.
So einschalten means to switch on; to turn on.
A memory aid, not a rule: prefixes change meaning from verb to verb.
Learning approach inspired by this explanation in r/German.
Verb family
More verbs built on schalten
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
Separable verb: ein·schalten
In a main clause the prefix ein splits off and goes to the end. After weil, dass and other subordinating words, the verb stays in one piece at the end.
Main clauseWir schalten die Lampe ein.We switch on the lamp.
Subordinate clause…, weil er den Computer einschaltet.… because he switches on the computer.
Participle: eingeschaltetzu-infinitive: einzuschalten
Forms
How einschalten changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | schalte ein | schaltete ein |
| du | schaltest ein | schaltetest ein |
| er/sie/es | schaltet ein | schaltete ein |
| wir | schalten ein | schalteten ein |
| ihr | schaltet ein | schaltetet ein |
| Sie | schalten ein | schalteten ein |
Partizip II eingeschaltet · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich schalte das Licht ein.I switch on the light.prefix goes to the end
- 2Sie hat den Fernseher eingeschaltet.She switched on the television.Perfekt with haben
- 3Kannst du bitte das Radio einschalten?Can you please switch on the radio?infinitive after a modal
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
einschalten + das Licht
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use das Licht as the object.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I switched it on before dinnerdas Abendessen.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When it got darkdunkel, we switched on the lightdas Licht.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She switched on the radiodas Radio because she likes musicdie Musik.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The lampdie Lampe that he switched on is in my roomdas Zimmer.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Can you switch on the computerder Computer for me?
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I went to the kitchendie Küche to switch on the lightdas Licht.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Could you switch on the heatingdie Heizung, please?
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 9 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
einschalten + der Fernseher + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause.
- 2Use the present tense.
- 3Switch on der Fernseher in the main clause.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
What do you usually switch on when you get home?
Your challenge
- 1Answer in one sentence using the verb.
- 2Use a wenn-clause to say when you switch something on.