switch
gb/swˈɪt͡ʃ/ us/swˈɪt͡ʃ/
A1
English
~ 2000
vált, kapcsol, kapcsoló, cserél, váltás, változás, átállás
VERB
A2
1
vált
B1
Usage pattern:
to switch from [something] to [something]
She decided to switch careers after ten years in finance.
A pénzügyben eltöltött tíz év után úgy döntött, pályát vált.
I switched from tea to coffee in the mornings.
Reggelente teáról kávéra váltottam.
You can switch the language settings in the app.
He switched from being a defender to a midfielder during the game.
They switched their focus to online sales.
Learner examples
I switched from my old phone to a new one.
A régi telefonomról egy új telefonra váltottam.
He switched from running to walking.
Futásról gyaloglásra váltott.
We switched rooms because it was too noisy.
She switched her seat to be near the window.
The teacher switched the topic of the lesson.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'switch' with 'swap'. 'Switch' usually means changing from one state or activity to another, while 'swap' means exchanging two items between people.
Meaning
Change setting or activity
Collocations
switch jobs
|switch sides
|switch channels
|switch gears
|switch focus
Synonyms
change (More general; not limited to settings or modes.)
Antonyms
maintain (Means to keep the same without changing.)
Themes
daily life
|technology
|work
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To stop using one thing and start using another.
To change from one thing to another, such as a setting, activity, or method.
VERB
A1
2
kapcsol
A2
Usage pattern:
to switch [something] on/off
Switch off the lights when you leave the room.
Kapcsold le a villanyt, amikor kimész a szobából.
He switched on the heater because it was cold.
Bekapcsolta a fűtést, mert hideg volt.
You should switch your phone off during the flight.
Learner examples
Please switch on the fan.
Kérlek, kapcsold be a ventilátort.
She switched off her laptop.
Kikapcsolta a laptopját.
I switched the light on in my room.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes omit 'on' or 'off' and just say 'switch the light', which can be unclear.
Meaning
Turn device on or off
Collocations
switch on the light
|switch off the TV
|switch the computer on
Synonyms
activate (More formal; often used for systems or processes.)
Antonyms
deactivate (Means to turn something off or make it inactive.)
Themes
technology
|daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make a machine or light start or stop by pressing a button or moving a switch.
To turn a device or machine on or off by using its control switch.
NOUN
A1
3
kapcsoló
A2
The light switch is next to the door.
A villanykapcsoló az ajtó mellett van.
Flip the switch to turn on the fan.
A ventilátor bekapcsolásához billentsd át a kapcsolót.
He replaced a broken power switch on his computer.
Learner examples
The switch is on the wall.
A kapcsoló a falon van.
I turned off the fan with the switch.
A kapcsolóval kapcsoltam ki a ventilátort.
She pressed the switch to start the machine.
Meaning
Electrical control device
Collocations
light switch
|power switch
|toggle switch
Synonyms
button (Similar function but usually pressed rather than flipped.)
Antonyms
continuous circuit (A setup with no control break point.)
Themes
technology
|home
|science
Definition
A small part that you move to turn something on or off.
A device for making and breaking the connection in an electric circuit.
VERB
A2
4
cserél
A2
Usage pattern:
to switch [something] with [something]
Can we switch seats so I can see better?
Cserélhetünk helyet, hogy jobban lássak?
They switched shirts after the game.
A meccs után mezt cseréltek.
I switched my sandwich with hers.
Learner examples
We switched chairs in class.
Az órán széket cseréltünk.
He switched his pen with mine.
Elcserélte a tollát az enyémmel.
They switched places in the line.
Meaning
Exchange items with another
Collocations
switch seats
|switch shirts
|switch partners
Synonyms
swap ('Swap' is more common for informal exchanges.)
Antonyms
keep (Means not to exchange or give away.)
Themes
daily life
|daily_life
|business
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To give someone your thing and take their thing instead.
To give one thing in place of another, often temporarily.
NOUN
B1
5
The switch from paper tickets to digital ones saved money.
A papírjegyekről a digitális jegyekre való átállással pénzt takarítottak meg.
There has been a sudden switch in public opinion.
Hirtelen változás történt a közvéleményben.
Making the switch to renewable energy will take time.
Learner examples
There was a switch in our plan.
Változás történt a tervünkben.
I saw a switch in his mood.
Változást vettem észre a hangulatában.
We made a switch from cars to bikes.
Meaning
An act of changing something
Collocations
make a switch
|sudden switch
|switch in policy
Synonyms
changeover (More formal; often used in business or technology contexts.)
Antonyms
continuation (Means keeping the same without change.)
Themes
daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
When you stop doing one thing and start doing another.
The act of changing from one thing, setting, or activity to another.
Grammar
Dictionary form
switch
IPA
GB/swˈɪt͡ʃ/
US/swˈɪt͡ʃ/
Syllables & stress
switch (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (switch)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: switch
- Plural: switches
Verb
- Base: switch
- 3rd Person Singular: switches
- Present Participle: switching
- Past: switched
Word family
Forms
switches
noun
switching
verb
switched
verb
Related words
switchable
adjective
switcher
noun
Advanced or less common
switchover
noun
switchboard
noun
Expressions
light switch
1/lˈaɪt swˈɪt͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
Device for controlling lights
A small control on a wall that turns lights on and off.
Examples
- The light switch is by the door.
- Flip the light switch when you leave.
switch gears
1/swˈɪt͡ʃ ɡˈɪɹz/
idiom
informal
Change activity or approach quickly
To quickly start doing something different from what you were doing before.
Examples
- After discussing politics, she switched gears and talked about sports.
- We need to switch gears and focus on marketing now.
switch off
1/swˈɪt͡ʃ ˈɔf/
phrasal verb
Turn something off with a switch
To stop a machine, light, etc. by moving its switch.
Examples
- She switched off all the lights before going out.
- Switch off your phone before boarding the plane.
switch on
1/swˈɪt͡ʃ ˈɔn/
phrasal verb
Turn something on with a switch
To start a machine, light, etc. by moving its switch.
Examples
- Please switch on the air conditioner before guests arrive.
- He switched on his laptop and began working.
switch over
1/swˈɪt͡ʃ ˈoʊvɚ/
phrasal verb
Completely change system or method
To change fully from one way of doing something to another.
Examples
- The company will switch over to renewable energy next year.
- Switch over to channel 5 for the news.