In 15 Seconds
- To reboot or restart a computer system.
- Used in offices, gaming, and daily tech life.
- Combines 'neu' (new) and 'starten' (to start).
Meaning
This phrase describes the universal tech solution: turning your computer off and back on again to fix a glitch or finish an update.
Key Examples
3 of 7At the office with a slow laptop
Mein Laptop ist so langsam, ich muss den Computer neustarten.
My laptop is so slow, I have to restart the computer.
Talking to IT support
Haben Sie schon versucht, den Computer neustarten?
Have you already tried restarting the computer?
Texting a friend while gaming
Warte kurz, ich muss mal eben neustarten.
Wait a sec, I just need to restart.
Cultural Background
Germans value technical precision. If you say you will 'neustarten', they expect you to actually do it immediately, not 'in a few minutes'. In Swiss German, you might hear 'de Computer neu starte', but the standard German form is used in all professional IT environments. The 'IT-Abteilung' (IT department) is a powerful entity in German companies. Using the correct terminology like 'Neustart' helps you get faster service. In the startup scene, 'rebooten' is often used instead of 'neustarten' due to the high influence of English.
Use 'Rechner' for extra fluency
While 'Computer' is correct, calling it 'den Rechner' makes you sound much more like a native speaker.
Don't forget the 'den'
Because 'Computer' is masculine, saying 'ich starte der Computer neu' is a very obvious beginner mistake. Always use 'den'.
In 15 Seconds
- To reboot or restart a computer system.
- Used in offices, gaming, and daily tech life.
- Combines 'neu' (new) and 'starten' (to start).
What It Means
When your screen freezes, you use this phrase. It means to reboot the system. It is the most common IT advice in history. In German, neustarten combines 'new' and 'start'. It is a simple, functional action. You are giving the machine a fresh beginning.
How To Use It
You treat neustarten as a verb. It can be written as one word or two: neu starten. Usually, you use it with the accusative case. That means 'the computer' becomes den Computer. If you are in a hurry, just say Ich starte neu. It sounds very natural. You will often hear it with modal verbs. For example: Ich muss den Computer neustarten.
When To Use It
Use it whenever technology fails you. It is perfect for the office. Use it when your laptop is slow. Use it when a program crashes. It is also common in gaming. If the lag is too high, you restart. You can even use it in a text. Tell your friend: Moment, ich muss kurz neustarten. They will understand the wait.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for physical machines like cars. For a car, you would say den Motor neu starten. Do not use it for people unless you are joking. If a friend is tired, do not say they need to neustarten. That sounds a bit too robotic. Use sich ausruhen for humans instead. Also, do not confuse it with anschalten, which just means 'to turn on'.
Cultural Background
Germany is known for its engineering and precision. However, German office culture shares the same tech frustrations as everyone else. There is a famous joke about 'Neuland' (uncharted territory). This refers to how some officials view the internet. Even so, every German office worker knows the power of a reboot. It is the ultimate 'German efficiency' shortcut. If it is broken, restart it first.
Common Variations
You might hear den Rechner neustarten. Rechner is a very common word for computer. Some people say einen Neustart machen. This means 'to do a restart'. In very technical settings, you might hear booten or rebooten. These are 'Denglish' terms borrowed from English. However, neustarten remains the most standard and clear version for everyone.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and works in any setting. Just remember that 'neustarten' is a separable verb, so 'neu' often moves to the end of the sentence in simple present tense.
Use 'Rechner' for extra fluency
While 'Computer' is correct, calling it 'den Rechner' makes you sound much more like a native speaker.
Don't forget the 'den'
Because 'Computer' is masculine, saying 'ich starte der Computer neu' is a very obvious beginner mistake. Always use 'den'.
The IT Crowd Reference
The famous line 'Have you tried turning it off and on again?' is translated in Germany as 'Haben Sie schon versucht, das Gerät aus- und wieder einzuschalten?' or simply 'Haben Sie schon neugestartet?'
Examples
7Mein Laptop ist so langsam, ich muss den Computer neustarten.
My laptop is so slow, I have to restart the computer.
A very standard way to explain a delay to a colleague.
Haben Sie schon versucht, den Computer neustarten?
Have you already tried restarting the computer?
The classic first question from any IT department.
Warte kurz, ich muss mal eben neustarten.
Wait a sec, I just need to restart.
Casual and shortened for quick communication.
Nicht schon wieder! Ich muss den Computer neustarten.
Not again! I have to restart the computer.
Expresses annoyance at recurring tech issues.
Ich bin so müde, ich muss mein Gehirn neustarten.
I'm so tired, I need to restart my brain.
A humorous, metaphorical use of the phrase.
Klick auf das Menü und wähle 'Computer neustarten'.
Click on the menu and choose 'restart computer'.
Clear, instructional language.
Bitte den Computer neustarten, um die Installation abzuschließen.
Please restart the computer to complete the installation.
Formal prompt often seen in software dialogues.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct article and verb form.
Ich muss ______ Computer ______.
The verb 'neustarten' requires the accusative case, so 'der' becomes 'den'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
A: Ich starte neu den Computer. B: Ich starte den Computer neu. C: Ich neustarte den Computer.
In a simple main clause, the prefix 'neu' goes to the end of the sentence.
Complete the dialogue.
Support: 'Haben Sie das Problem gelöst?' User: 'Ja, ich habe ______.'
The perfect tense of 'neustarten' is 'neugestartet'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: A colleague's screen is frozen.
Restarting is the standard advice for a frozen screen.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Gender & Case
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIch muss ______ Computer ______.
The verb 'neustarten' requires the accusative case, so 'der' becomes 'den'.
A: Ich starte neu den Computer. B: Ich starte den Computer neu. C: Ich neustarte den Computer.
In a simple main clause, the prefix 'neu' goes to the end of the sentence.
Support: 'Haben Sie das Problem gelöst?' User: 'Ja, ich habe ______.'
The perfect tense of 'neustarten' is 'neugestartet'.
Situation: A colleague's screen is frozen.
Restarting is the standard advice for a frozen screen.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsBoth 'neustarten' and 'neu starten' are correct according to modern German spelling rules. 'Neustarten' is more common in technical contexts.
Yes, but it's more common to say 'das Handy neu starten'.
'Hochfahren' is just the starting process. 'Neustarten' implies turning it off first and then starting it again.
You say 'einen Neustart erzwingen'.
It is 'den' (Accusative) because the computer is the direct object of the action.
'Rechner' literally means 'calculator'. It's a traditional German word for computer that is still very popular.
You can say 'den Laptop neustarten' or still use 'den Computer neustarten' as a general term.
It is neutral. It's fine for the office, IT support, or with friends.
Ich startete den Computer neu (Präteritum) or Ich habe den Computer neugestartet (Perfekt).
Yes, 'resetten' is a Denglish verb used by young people and IT pros, but 'neustarten' is better for learners.
Related Phrases
den Computer herunterfahren
contrastTo shut down the computer.
den Computer hochfahren
similarTo boot up the computer.
ein Update installieren
builds onTo install an update.
den Computer ausschalten
synonymTo turn off the computer.
