En 15 segundos
- The standard way to say 'close the door' in German.
- Slightly more formal and 'proper' than the casual 'zumachen'.
- Essential for managing drafts and privacy in German homes.
Significado
This phrase literally means 'to close the door.' It is the standard way to describe the physical act of shutting a door in any setting.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6In a cold cafe
Können Sie bitte die Tür schließen? Es zieht.
Could you please close the door? There is a draft.
Leaving for work
Ich schließe die Tür ab, wenn ich gehe.
I am locking the door when I leave.
Starting a private meeting
Wir sollten die Tür schließen, bevor wir anfangen.
We should close the door before we begin.
Contexto cultural
The 'Stoßlüften' culture means doors and windows are opened and closed frequently to maintain air quality without losing heat. A closed office door is a sign of focus, not a 'do not disturb' sign. You should knock, but it's normal for doors to be closed. Germans are very punctual and efficient; doors on trains close exactly on time, and trying to hold them open is frowned upon. In some rural areas, leaving a door open at night was thought to let in bad spirits, though this is now just a matter of security.
Use 'zumachen' for friends
While 'schließen' is correct, 'zumachen' will make you sound much more like a native speaker in casual settings.
Don't forget the 'die'
Saying 'Schließ Tür' sounds like a robot. Always include the article.
En 15 segundos
- The standard way to say 'close the door' in German.
- Slightly more formal and 'proper' than the casual 'zumachen'.
- Essential for managing drafts and privacy in German homes.
What It Means
Die Tür schließen is your bread-and-butter phrase for shutting things. It is clear, direct, and universally understood. Whether you are leaving a room or shutting out a draft, this is the phrase you need. It feels a bit more 'proper' than the casual alternative zumachen. Think of it as the standard setting on your linguistic thermostat.
How To Use It
You will mostly use the verb schließen at the end of a sentence in its basic form. If you are telling someone to do it, you might say Schließ bitte die Tür. If you are talking about yourself, you say Ich schließe die Tür. It follows standard German grammar rules. Just remember that schließen is a strong verb. This means its stem changes in the past tense, but at A1, you mostly need the present tense. Always keep the article die before Tür unless you are being very brief.
When To Use It
Use this phrase in any situation where a door is open and should not be. At a restaurant, you might say it if the entrance is letting in cold air. In a meeting, you use it to ensure privacy. If you are texting a roommate to remind them to lock up, this works perfectly. It is safe for work, home, and everywhere in between. It is the 'polite default' for daily life.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using schließen if you want to sound very casual with close friends. In those cases, zumachen is much more common. Also, do not use this phrase if you are talking about 'closing' a computer program or a book. While technically possible, other verbs often fit better. If you are angry and want to say 'Shut up!', do not use this phrase. That would be Halt den Mund or something much stronger. Using die Tür schließen in an argument sounds strangely formal.
Cultural Background
Germans have a unique relationship with doors and fresh air. There is a cultural phenomenon called Lüften (airing out). This involves opening all windows and doors to let fresh air in. However, Germans also fear the Durchzug (draft). A draft is seen as a legitimate health hazard that causes neck pain. Therefore, knowing how to ask someone to close the door is a vital survival skill. It shows you care about the 'indoor climate' and everyone's health.
Common Variations
The most frequent variation is die Tür zumachen. This is the informal version you will hear at home. You might also hear die Tür heranziehen, which means to pull it shut without necessarily latching it. If someone is being rude, they might just bark Tür zu! (Door shut!). In shops, you might see a sign saying Bitte die Tür schließen, which is a polite request to keep the heat inside.
Notas de uso
This phrase is neutral and safe for all situations. While 'zumachen' is more common in casual speech, 'schließen' will never sound wrong or out of place.
Use 'zumachen' for friends
While 'schließen' is correct, 'zumachen' will make you sound much more like a native speaker in casual settings.
Don't forget the 'die'
Saying 'Schließ Tür' sounds like a robot. Always include the article.
The 'Zugluft' factor
If someone asks you to close the door, they are likely worried about a draft. It's a common cultural concern!
Ejemplos
6Können Sie bitte die Tür schließen? Es zieht.
Could you please close the door? There is a draft.
Using 'schließen' with 'bitte' is very polite for strangers.
Ich schließe die Tür ab, wenn ich gehe.
I am locking the door when I leave.
Adding 'ab' changes it to 'locking', but the base phrase is the same.
Wir sollten die Tür schließen, bevor wir anfangen.
We should close the door before we begin.
Standard professional usage for privacy.
Hast du die Tür geschlossen?
Did you close the door?
A common check-in via text.
Bist du im Stall geboren? Schließ die Tür!
Were you born in a stable? Close the door!
A classic German joke-reprimand for leaving doors open.
Er schloss die Tür und sagte kein Wort mehr.
He closed the door and didn't say another word.
Used here to create a sense of finality.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'schließen' and the article for 'Tür'.
Bitte ______ Sie {___|f} Tür.
In a formal request with 'Sie', the verb remains 'schließen'. 'Tür' is feminine, so the article is 'die'.
Which sentence is correct for 'I am closing the door'?
Select the correct German translation.
'Tür' is feminine, and German requires the article in this context.
Match the German phrase to its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are the four most common actions related to a door.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Es ist sehr laut draußen. B: Okay, ich ______ {die|f} Tür.
If it is loud outside, the logical action is to close the door.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosBitte ______ Sie {___|f} Tür.
In a formal request with 'Sie', the verb remains 'schließen'. 'Tür' is feminine, so the article is 'die'.
Select the correct German translation.
'Tür' is feminine, and German requires the article in this context.
Empareja cada elemento de la izquierda con su par de la derecha:
These are the four most common actions related to a door.
A: Es ist sehr laut draußen. B: Okay, ich ______ {die|f} Tür.
If it is loud outside, the logical action is to close the door.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasYes, it is slightly more formal than 'zumachen', but it's perfectly fine to use in any situation.
'Schließen' means to shut it. 'Abschließen' means to lock it with a key.
Yes, 'das Buch schließen' is correct, though 'das Buch zumachen' is more common.
You say 'Die Tür schließt' or 'Die Tür geht zu'.
The Perfekt is 'hat geschlossen' and the Präteritum is 'schloss'.
Yes, it is always {die|f} Tür.
Yes, but 'mach die Tür zu' is more natural among friends.
In some contexts, yes, like 'ein Geschäft schließen' (to close a deal).
That would be 'die Tür zuschlagen'.
Yes, it is {die|f} Türen.
Frases relacionadas
die Tür zumachen
synonymto shut the door
die Tür öffnen
contrastto open the door
die Tür abschließen
specialized formto lock the door
vor verschlossenen Türen stehen
builds onto find the doors closed
zwischen Tür und Angel
similarin a hurry / on the fly
