German Phrase
Stell sicher, dass es fest eingesteckt ist.
Meaning
The sentence tells someone to double‑check that something (usually an electronic device or a plug) is firmly inserted into its socket. The word ‘fest’ adds the nuance of ‘securely’ or ‘tightly’, emphasizing safety.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to remind a colleague, a family member, or a friend to verify that a cable, charger, or any plug‑in component is properly seated, especially before turning on a device or before moving it.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Stellsicher,dassesfesteingestecktist.
Imperative (Stell)
‘Stell’ is the du‑imperative of the verb ‘stellen’ (to place/put). It is used for informal commands.
Adverbial ‘sicher’
‘sicher’ functions as an adverb meaning ‘surely’ or ‘make sure’, often paired with ‘stellen’ in the fixed phrase ‘Stell sicher’.
Subjunction ‘dass’
‘dass’ introduces a subordinate clause and requires the verb to move to the end of that clause.
Past Participle ‘eingesteckt’
‘eingesteckt’ is the past participle of ‘einstecken’ (to plug in). In the subordinate clause it appears before the finite verb ‘ist’.
Verb ‘sein’ at the end
In German subordinate clauses the finite verb (here ‘ist’) is placed at the very end.
🗨In Conversation
Stell sicher, dass es fest eingesteckt ist.
Make sure it’s firmly plugged in.
Ja, ich habe gerade nachgesehen – alles sitzt richtig.
Yes, I just checked – everything is in place.
✕Common Mistakes
Stelle sicher, dass es fest eingesteckt ist.
‘Stelle’ is the Sie‑imperative; using it with ‘du’ (informal) sounds overly formal.
Stell sicher, dass es fest eingesteckt.
The clause needs the verb ‘ist’ at the end; omitting it makes the sentence grammatically incomplete.
Stell sicher, dass es fest eingesteckt ist
Missing the final period is a minor punctuation error, but in written German the period is required after a complete sentence.
↔Alternatives
Achte darauf, dass es fest angeschlossen ist.
Pay attention that it is firmly connected.
Vergewissere dich, dass es fest eingesteckt ist.
Make sure that it is tightly inserted.
Stell sicher, dass der Stecker fest sitzt.
Make sure the plug sits firmly.
Cultural Tip
In German, the combination ‘Stell sicher’ is a common, informal way to give a quick safety reminder. In more formal contexts you might hear ‘Bitte stellen Sie sicher, dass …’ or the verb ‘vergewissern’ used with the formal ‘Sie’. Also, Germans tend to be very precise about safety, so adding ‘fest’ signals that a loose connection could be a hazard.