Verb

an|machen

Translation

to turn on, to switch on, to dress (a salad), to hit on (sb.)

Mach bitte das Licht an.

Please turn on the light.

Ich mache den Salat mit Öl und Essig an.

I'm dressing the salad with oil and vinegar.

Er hat sie in der Bar angemacht.

He hit on her in the bar.

Kannst du das Feuer anmachen?

Can you light the fire?

((sth.)) to turn sth. on Please turn on the light.

((sth.)) ((with sth.)) to dress sth. with sth. I'm dressing the salad with oil and vinegar.

((sb.)) to hit on sb. He hit on her in the bar.

Synonyms: einschalten (to switch on); Antonyms: ausmachen (to turn off), ausschalten (to switch off)

From the prefix 'an-' (on) and the verb 'machen' (to make). Literally 'to make on', as in activating something.

Think of 'making' the light go 'on'. The other meanings like 'hitting on someone' are colloquial and must be learned in context.