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German Phrase

Mach Fotos vom Problem.

/max ˈfoːtoːs fɔm pʁoˈbleːm/
Meaning"Take photos of the problem."
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Meaning

‘Mach Fotos vom Problem.’ is a direct, informal command telling someone to take photographs of the issue at hand. It’s often used when visual documentation is needed to explain or troubleshoot a problem.

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When to use

Use this phrase in technical support, field work, or any situation where you need visual evidence of a malfunction, damage, or irregularity. It’s appropriate when speaking to a colleague, a friend, or a junior staff member you address with ‘du’. For formal contexts, switch to the Sie‑form.

✦Grammar Breakdown

MachFotosvomProblem

1

Imperativ (du)

‘Mach’ is the informal singular imperative of ‘machen’, used when speaking to a friend or colleague you address with ‘du’.

2

Plural noun

‘Fotos’ is the plural of ‘Foto’; German often uses the plural when you expect more than one picture.

3

Preposition + article contraction

‘vom’ is the contraction of ‘von dem’, meaning ‘from the’ or ‘of the’.

4

Neuter noun ‘Problem’

‘Problem’ is a neuter noun (das Problem); in the dative after ‘von dem’ it stays unchanged.

🗨In Conversation

A

Könntest du das Problem genauer dokumentieren?

Could you document the problem in more detail?

Mach Fotos vom Problem.

Take photos of the problem.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Mach Foto vom Problem.

    ‘Foto’ is singular; the phrase usually expects multiple pictures, so the plural ‘Fotos’ is preferred.

  • Mach Fotos von das Problem.

    The correct contraction is ‘vom’ (von dem), not ‘von das’. ‘Von dem’ contracts to ‘vom’.

  • Mach Fotos vom Problem.

    If you keep the informal ‘Mach’, you must not use the formal ‘Sie’. Use either ‘Mach …’ (du) or ‘Machen Sie …’ (Sie).

↔Alternatives

  • Fotografiere das Problem.

    Photograph the problem.

  • Nimm Bilder vom Problem auf.

    Take pictures of the problem.

  • Mache Aufnahmen vom Problem.

    Make recordings of the problem.

de

Cultural Tip

In German the imperative changes with the level of formality. ‘Mach’ is informal (du). In a workplace where you address a superior or a client, you would say ‘Machen Sie Fotos vom Problem.’ Also, Germans often prefer the plural ‘Fotos’ even if only one picture is needed, because it signals that multiple angles are expected.