Signification
To ponder or be concerned about a particular matter.
Contexte culturel
The phrase is a hallmark of 'German Gründlichkeit'. It is socially expected to have 'made thoughts' before presenting an idea. In Austria, the phrase is used similarly, but might be delivered with a bit more 'Gemütlichkeit' (coziness/leisureliness). Swiss German speakers use 'sich Überlegige mache', which is the dialectal equivalent, emphasizing the 'over-thinking' or 'deliberation' aspect. In German startups, this phrase is often used to soften criticism. Instead of saying 'Your idea is bad', one might say 'Ich mache mir Gedanken über die {die|f} Skalierbarkeit'.
The 'Mir' Rule
Always check if you have 'mir' or 'dir'. If you say 'Ich mache Gedanken', it sounds like you are a god creating thoughts out of thin air for the universe.
Don't Overuse
If you say 'Ich mache mir Gedanken' for every small thing, you will sound like a very anxious person. Use 'denken' for the small stuff.
Signification
To ponder or be concerned about a particular matter.
The 'Mir' Rule
Always check if you have 'mir' or 'dir'. If you say 'Ich mache Gedanken', it sounds like you are a god creating thoughts out of thin air for the universe.
Don't Overuse
If you say 'Ich mache mir Gedanken' for every small thing, you will sound like a very anxious person. Use 'denken' for the small stuff.
Job Interview Gold
Use this phrase to show you've researched the company. It's the #1 way to sound 'prepared' in German.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct reflexive pronoun and preposition.
Ich mache ___ Gedanken ___ meine Zukunft.
The reflexive pronoun must be dative (mir) and the preposition is 'über'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'Don't worry' to a friend?
Dein Freund hat Angst vor einer Prüfung. Was sagst du?
'Mach dir keine Gedanken!' is the most idiomatic and common way to offer reassurance.
Complete the dialogue in a professional context.
Chef: 'Haben Sie einen Vorschlag für das neue Logo?' Mitarbeiter: 'Ja, ich habe mir am Wochenende viele ______ ______ gemacht.'
In a professional context, 'Gedanken darüber machen' shows you have been working/reflecting.
Match the phrase variation to the situation.
1. 'Sich einen Kopf machen' | 2. 'Sich ernsthafte Gedanken machen' | 3. 'Über etwas reflektieren'
'Kopf machen' is slang, 'ernsthafte Gedanken' is for gravity, 'reflektieren' is formal/academic.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Thinking Verbs in German
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesIch mache ___ Gedanken ___ meine Zukunft.
The reflexive pronoun must be dative (mir) and the preposition is 'über'.
Dein Freund hat Angst vor einer Prüfung. Was sagst du?
'Mach dir keine Gedanken!' is the most idiomatic and common way to offer reassurance.
Chef: 'Haben Sie einen Vorschlag für das neue Logo?' Mitarbeiter: 'Ja, ich habe mir am Wochenende viele ______ ______ gemacht.'
In a professional context, 'Gedanken darüber machen' shows you have been working/reflecting.
1. 'Sich einen Kopf machen' | 2. 'Sich ernsthafte Gedanken machen' | 3. 'Über etwas reflektieren'
'Kopf machen' is slang, 'ernsthafte Gedanken' is for gravity, 'reflektieren' is formal/academic.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsBoth are used. 'Über' is more common for general reflection. 'Um' is often used when the focus is specifically on 'worrying about the safety/well-being' of someone.
Technically yes, but 'sich einen Gedanken machen' sounds very strange and is rarely used. Stick to the plural.
'Nachdenken' is the process of thinking. 'Sich Gedanken machen' often implies a result or an emotional state (worry).
No, it's just very informal. Don't use it with your boss, but it's fine with friends.
Use 'Ich mache mir zu viele Gedanken.'
No, it can also mean 'to plan' or 'to consider'. Context is key.
No, 'für' is incorrect. Use 'über' or 'zu'.
Yes, very often: 'Ich habe mir Gedanken gemacht.'
It is neutral. It works in both formal and informal settings.
There isn't a direct opposite, but 'gedankenlos sein' (to be thoughtless) or 'sich keine Platte machen' (slang for not worrying) are close.
Yes, 'Ich mache mir Gedanken über das {das|n} Auto' (I'm thinking about buying it or it's broken).
Yes, especially in emails and essays.
Yes: 'Ich mache mir Gedanken darüber, dass er zu spät kommt.'
No, 'machen' is a normal verb, but the phrase is a fixed expression.
Expressions liées
nachdenken
similarto think about / reflect
sich Sorgen machen
similarto worry
überlegen
similarto consider / ponder
sich einen Kopf machen
informalto overthink / worry
grübeln
specialized formto brood / ruminate
