Signification
To perform competently or achieve good results.
Contexte culturel
The phrase reflects the 'Leistungsgesellschaft' (meritocracy). Doing well isn't just about talent, but about 'sich machen'—the active process of proving oneself through work. In Austria, you might also hear 'sich gut anlassen', which is a slightly more local way of saying something is starting off well. Swiss German speakers use the phrase similarly, but often with a focus on 'Anständigkeit' (decency/properness). In German startups, this phrase is often used to describe how a new software feature or 'Tool' is performing in the market.
Use it for feedback
Instead of just saying 'Gut gemacht', say 'Du machst dich gut'. It sounds more like you've been observing their progress over time.
Reflexive Pronoun
Don't forget the 'sich'! Without it, the sentence 'Er macht gut' sounds like he is doing something good (like charity), not performing well.
Signification
To perform competently or achieve good results.
Use it for feedback
Instead of just saying 'Gut gemacht', say 'Du machst dich gut'. It sounds more like you've been observing their progress over time.
Reflexive Pronoun
Don't forget the 'sich'! Without it, the sentence 'Er macht gut' sounds like he is doing something good (like charity), not performing well.
Understatement
Germans often use 'macht sich ganz gut' as a form of high praise. 'Ganz gut' sounds like 'okay', but in this context, it often means 'really well'.
Teste-toi
Fülle die Lücke mit der richtigen Form von 'sich gut machen'.
Der neue {der|m} Teppich _______ _______ sehr gut im {das|n} Schlafzimmer.
The subject is 'der Teppich' (singular), so we use 'macht sich'.
Welcher Satz ist richtig?
A: Er macht gut in seinem Job. B: Er macht sich gut in seinem Job. C: Er macht ihn gut in seinem Job.
The phrase requires the reflexive pronoun 'sich'.
In welcher Situation benutzt man 'sich gut machen'?
Situation: Du hast ein neues {das|n} Regal gekauft und es sieht toll aus.
The phrase is used for aesthetic suitability.
Vervollständige den Dialog.
Chef: 'Wie läuft die Einarbeitung von Frau Müller?' Kollege: 'Sehr gut, sie _______ _______ _______.'
This is the standard way to report positive progress of a colleague.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesDer neue {der|m} Teppich _______ _______ sehr gut im {das|n} Schlafzimmer.
The subject is 'der Teppich' (singular), so we use 'macht sich'.
A: Er macht gut in seinem Job. B: Er macht sich gut in seinem Job. C: Er macht ihn gut in seinem Job.
The phrase requires the reflexive pronoun 'sich'.
Situation: Du hast ein neues {das|n} Regal gekauft und es sieht toll aus.
The phrase is used for aesthetic suitability.
Chef: 'Wie läuft die Einarbeitung von Frau Müller?' Kollege: 'Sehr gut, sie _______ _______ _______.'
This is the standard way to report positive progress of a colleague.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes! Use it for people (performance) and objects (aesthetics/fitting in).
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
'Gut sein' is a fact; 'sich gut machen' is about the impression or the way someone handles a role.
Yes, but it's less common. Usually, people say 'er macht sich nicht so gut'.
Yes: 'Er hat sich gut gemacht' (He did well).
'Gut abschneiden' is specifically for results (tests, competitions), while 'sich gut machen' is for general performance.
Yes, for how food looks or pairs: 'Der Käse macht sich gut auf der Platte'.
Yes, it is standard in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
'Er macht sich hervorragend' or 'Er macht sich sehr gut'.
The opposite is 'sich schlecht machen' or 'eine schlechte Figur machen'.
Expressions liées
eine gute Figur machen
similarTo cut a good figure / look good.
sich wacker schlagen
similarTo hold one's own.
gut abschneiden
similarTo score well / perform well.
sich bewähren
specialized formTo prove oneself.
etwas gutmachen
contrastTo make amends.
