schalten
Translation
to switch, to shift gears, to connect, to react
Examples
Er schaltet in den dritten Gang.
He shifts into third gear.
Die Ampel schaltet auf Grün.
The traffic light switches to green.
Sie kann sehr schnell schalten.
She can think on her feet very quickly.
Grammar Patterns
((into sth.)) to shift into sth. He schaltet into second gear.
((to sth.)) to switch to sth. The light schaltet to red.
(schnell/langsam) schalten to be quick/slow on the uptake He is sometimes slow to schalten.
Similar Words
wechseln (to change), umschalten (to switch over), bedienen (to operate)
Etymology
From Old High German 'scaltan' (to push, shove). It's directly related to the noun 'der Schalter' (the switch).
Memory Tips
To 'schalten' is what you do with a 'Schalter' (switch).