Meaning
To take an unauthorized day off from work or school.
Cultural Background
The phrase is well-known but carries a slight stigma of laziness. Used similarly to Germany, though 'blaufeiern' is sometimes heard in rural areas. Standard German usage applies, though Swiss German has its own dialectal variations for skipping work. Learners often use it too freely, not realizing the informality.
Register Alert
Never use this with your boss. It is strictly for friends.
Separable Verb
Remember to split it: 'Ich mache heute blau'.
Meaning
To take an unauthorized day off from work or school.
Register Alert
Never use this with your boss. It is strictly for friends.
Separable Verb
Remember to split it: 'Ich mache heute blau'.
The 'Blue' Connection
It's all about the color blue—medieval dyeing!
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb.
Gestern habe ich ________ gemacht.
The idiom is 'blaumachen'.
Which sentence is correct?
Choose the best sentence.
Only 'blaumachen' is a valid German idiom.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Gehst du heute zur Arbeit? B: Nein, ich ________.
The verb is 'machen'.
Match the situation to the correct phrase usage.
You are talking to your best friend about skipping school.
This is the only informal option suitable for a friend.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesGestern habe ich ________ gemacht.
The idiom is 'blaumachen'.
Choose the best sentence.
Only 'blaumachen' is a valid German idiom.
A: Gehst du heute zur Arbeit? B: Nein, ich ________.
The verb is 'machen'.
You are talking to your best friend about skipping school.
This is the only informal option suitable for a friend.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsAbsolutely not. It will make you look unprofessional.
No, it works for school too.
Ich habe blau gemacht.
It comes from the dyeing industry.
Not inherently, but it can be if used in the wrong context.
No, just 'Ich mache blau'.
Yes, 'das Blaumachen'.
No, that's 'krankfeiern'.
Yes, very common in casual speech.
No, that's planned. Blaumachen is spontaneous.
Yes, students use it often.
That's not blaumachen. That's just being late.
Related Phrases
blaufeiern
similarTo celebrate by skipping work.
krankfeiern
contrastTo fake being sick.
die Schule schwänzen
similarTo skip school.
einen blauen Montag machen
builds onTo take Monday off.
