machen vs ausführen
German word comparison
Listen to machen
Listen to ausführen
| machen | ausführen |
|---|---|
MAH-chen verb | /aʊsˈfyːrən/ verb |
| to do; to make | to carry out or execute (a task, command or plan) |
How they differ
Ausführen stresses executing or implementing a specific plan, command or task to completion, while machen is a generic 'to do/make' and doesn't imply the procedural or completion aspect as strongly.
When to use each
When to use machen: Prefer machen for general actions, informal instructions or when speaking about making/doing without emphasizing execution details.
When to use ausführen: Prefer ausführen when you mean to execute, implement or carry out a concrete plan, set of steps, a command or a technical operation.
Side-by-side examples
- Ich mache die Änderungen am Dokument.
(I make the changes to the document.) - Ich führe die Änderungen am Dokument aus.
(I carry out/implement the changes to the document.)
Register & nuance: Ausführen is more formal and precise, often used in technical, administrative or professional contexts; machen is more general and colloquial.