verb
to switch, to turn on
B1
schalten: regular weak verb meaning 'to switch' or 'to turn on', also 'to change gears'. Uses auxiliary haben in perfect (hast geschaltet). Non‑reflexive and non‑separable. Past participle: geschaltet. Commonly transitive (etw. schalten) or intransitive for devices. No special governing preposition.
Examples
Ich habe den Gang geschaltet.
I shifted gears.
Ich schalte das Licht ein.
I turn on the light.
Kannst du das Licht schalten?
Can you switch the light on?
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine flipping a switch with a clicking 'schalt' sound.
Sounds like 'shalt' + 'en' — think of toggling a 'shalt' of power.
N/A
Notes
Regular weak verb. Often used with electrical devices (schalten = switch, sometimes in compounds like 'ein-/ausschalten' for 'turn on/off').