In 15 Seconds
- Used for starting a computer or laptop from being off.
- A separable verb where 'hoch' often moves to the end.
- Essential for office talk and technical troubleshooting.
Meaning
This phrase is what you say when you're turning on your computer and waiting for it to load up. It describes the whole process from pressing the power button to seeing your desktop screen.
Key Examples
3 of 6Starting the workday
Ich trinke einen Kaffee, während der Computer hochfährt.
I'm drinking a coffee while the computer boots up.
Technical trouble in a meeting
Moment bitte, ich muss kurz den Computer hochfahren.
One moment please, I need to quickly boot up the computer.
Texting a friend about gaming
Fahre gerade den PC hoch, bin in 5 Minuten online!
Just booting up the PC, I'll be online in 5 minutes!
Cultural Background
Efficiency and 'Feierabend' culture mean that computers are rarely left on overnight. 'Hochfahren' is a distinct morning ritual. Swiss German speakers use 'ufefahre' (the Swiss version of hochfahren) in dialect, but 'hochfahren' in High German. In German startup hubs like Berlin, 'booten' is often used instead of 'hochfahren' to sound more international. In the 'Mittelstand' (small/medium enterprises), 'hochfahren' is used for the literal startup of heavy machinery.
Use it for 'Ramping Up'
You can use this phrase for your own energy. 'Ich muss erst mal mein Gehirn hochfahren' (I need to boot up my brain first).
Separable Verb Alert
Don't forget to put 'hoch' at the very end. 'Ich fahre den Computer heute Morgen sehr früh hoch.'
In 15 Seconds
- Used for starting a computer or laptop from being off.
- A separable verb where 'hoch' often moves to the end.
- Essential for office talk and technical troubleshooting.
What It Means
Den Computer hochfahren is the standard way to say you are starting your PC or laptop. In German, the verb fahren (to drive/travel) is used for many technical processes. Think of it like the system 'driving up' to its full operational speed. It is the opposite of herunterfahren (to shut down). It covers the moment you hit the button until you reach the login screen.
How To Use It
This is a separable verb, which is a classic German grammar quirk. In a simple sentence, the hoch part jumps to the very end. You would say: Ich fahre den Computer hoch. If you are using a helping verb like muss (must), it stays together: Ich muss den Computer hochfahren. It works for any device that has a complex operating system. You wouldn't use it for a simple light switch, but definitely for your gaming rig or office workstation.
When To Use It
You will use this every single morning at the office. It is also perfect for those tech-support moments with friends. If your screen is black and they ask what's happening, you tell them you're just starting up. It is the go-to phrase for the first five minutes of your workday. You can also use it when talking about servers or complex machinery that needs a 'warm-up' phase.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for small gadgets like a toaster or a simple lamp. For those, just use anschalten. Also, if your computer is already on and you are just waking it from 'sleep mode,' this phrase is technically too heavy. Hochfahren implies a cold start from being completely off. Don't use it for your car either, even though it involves 'driving'—for a car, you use anlassen or starten.
Cultural Background
Germans love precision in their technical language. The term dates back to the era of large mainframes. These machines literally had to 'ramp up' their power and mechanical components. Today, it reflects the German work ethic: the day doesn't start until the system is 'hochgefahren'. There is a certain cozy office ritual involved here—getting your coffee while the PC does its thing.
Common Variations
You might hear people just say hochfahren without the word Computer if the context is obvious. In very casual tech circles, some might use the Denglish booten, but hochfahren remains the king of professional and everyday speech. If you are talking about a laptop, you can say den Laptop hochfahren. It is universal across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and safe for all environments. Just be careful with the separable verb structure in the present tense.
Use it for 'Ramping Up'
You can use this phrase for your own energy. 'Ich muss erst mal mein Gehirn hochfahren' (I need to boot up my brain first).
Separable Verb Alert
Don't forget to put 'hoch' at the very end. 'Ich fahre den Computer heute Morgen sehr früh hoch.'
Rechner vs. Computer
In older offices, you'll hear 'Rechner' more often. It's a very 'German' word compared to the anglicized 'Computer'.
Examples
6Ich trinke einen Kaffee, während der Computer hochfährt.
I'm drinking a coffee while the computer boots up.
A very common morning routine description.
Moment bitte, ich muss kurz den Computer hochfahren.
One moment please, I need to quickly boot up the computer.
Polite way to ask for a time-out for tech issues.
Fahre gerade den PC hoch, bin in 5 Minuten online!
Just booting up the PC, I'll be online in 5 minutes!
Shortened version for quick messaging.
Mein Gott, dieser Computer braucht ewig zum Hochfahren!
My god, this computer takes forever to boot up!
Expressing annoyance at slow technology.
Kannst du bitte schon mal den Computer hochfahren?
Can you please start the computer up already?
Asking someone else to do the task.
Nach dem Urlaub muss ich erst mal mein Gehirn hochfahren.
After the vacation, I first need to boot up my brain.
A metaphorical use of the phrase.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'hochfahren' in the present tense.
Jeden Morgen _______ ich {den|m} Computer _______.
In the present tense with 'ich', the verb is 'fahre' and the prefix 'hoch' goes to the end.
Which sentence is correct?
Which one describes starting a computer?
'Hochfahren' is the specific collocation for computers.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Warum arbeitest du noch nicht? B: Mein Laptop _______ gerade _______.
The laptop (3rd person singular) is the subject, so we use 'fährt hoch'.
Match the German phrase with its English meaning.
Match them up:
These are the four main states of computer operation.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesJeden Morgen _______ ich {den|m} Computer _______.
In the present tense with 'ich', the verb is 'fahre' and the prefix 'hoch' goes to the end.
Which one describes starting a computer?
'Hochfahren' is the specific collocation for computers.
A: Warum arbeitest du noch nicht? B: Mein Laptop _______ gerade _______.
The laptop (3rd person singular) is the subject, so we use 'fährt hoch'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the four main states of computer operation.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsYes, you can use it for smartphones too, although 'anmachen' or 'starten' is slightly more common for mobile devices.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your friends.
The opposite is 'runterfahren' (to shut down).
'Starten' is fine, but 'hochfahren' sounds more native and describes the process better.
When you start the computer, use 'haben': 'Ich habe den Computer hochgefahren.' If the computer starts by itself, you can use 'ist': 'Der Computer ist hochgefahren.'
Related Phrases
den Computer runterfahren
contrastTo shut down the computer
den Computer neu starten
similarTo restart the computer
den Computer anmachen
similarTo turn the computer on
das System booten
synonymTo boot the system
die Produktion hochfahren
specialized formTo ramp up production
