Is there a difference between "anschalten" and "einschalten"?

Question

Is there a difference between *anschalten* and *einschalten*?If I turn on the TV, oven, heat, start the car etc., can either verb be used?

Answer 1

There is no significant difference, just like in English (switch on/ turn on). Why one or the other may be preferred entirely depends on what you are switching/ turning on. We can turn on the light or switch on the light, but somehow I'd prefer switch on, maybe because I have to flick a switch. And maybe I prefer saying "turn on the radio" rather than "switch on the radio". The same applies to the German words "anschalten" and "einschalten". So going back to the example of switching/ turning on the light/ radio, I would say "Ich schalte das Radio an." while I would prefer saying "Ich schalte das Licht ein.". However, "Ich schalte das Radio ein." and "Ich schalte das Licht an." are not grammatically incorrect. It is just a personal preference and depends on what you switch/ turn on.

Answer 2

Hello, dear friend, lieber Freund:

Gute Frage. Well here is a very brief bottom line answer.

"anschalten"

1. Less common
2. Mostly used in everyday spoken German
3. Means "to turn on" (a device, light, etc.)
4. "einschalten"
5. More commonly used
6. Sounds a bit more formal or standard
7. Also means "to turn on"

Both mean the same in most situations and are interchangeable when talking about devices, but "einschalten" is just more widely used.

Please, let me know if you have any questions! :)

Angelika