verb
to close, to shut
A2
zumachen means to close or shut. It is a separable verb (mach zu), regular weak and uses haben (Perfekt: zugemacht). Non‑reflexive. Imperative: mach zu! Commonly used for doors, windows, containers. Separable prefix appears at sentence end in finite forms. Also synonym with schließen in many contexts.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.EXAMPLES
Die Verkäuferin machte das Geschäft zu, weil die Kasse schon geschlossen war.
The saleswoman closed the shop because the till had already been shut.
Mach bitte die Tür zu und mach das Fenster zu.
Please close the door and shut the window.
Ich mache das Fenster zu.
I'm closing the window.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.DETAILS_LABEL
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.MNEMONICS
Imagine pushing a zipper down quickly to 'zip shut' — the door is 'zugemacht' (closed).
sounds a bit like 'zoom-atch-en' — think 'zoom' to close fast
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.NOTES
Zumachen is a separable verb (prefix: zu). In past participle the prefix joins (zugemacht). Commonly used for doors, windows, devices. Collocates with haben in perfect tenses.