German Phrase
Zieh den Stecker für 30 Sekunden.
Meaning
A direct, informal command telling someone to unplug a device and keep it disconnected for thirty seconds. It’s a common step in troubleshooting electronic equipment, such as resetting a router or a TV.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are giving quick, hands‑on instructions in a casual setting – for example, helping a friend fix a malfunctioning gadget, or in a tutorial video that demonstrates a reset procedure.
✦Grammar Breakdown
ZiehdenSteckerfür30Sekunden.
Imperativ (du)
‘Zieh’ is the singular informal imperative form of the verb ‘ziehen’ (to pull).
Akkusativ-Artikel
‘den’ is the masculine accusative definite article, required because ‘Stecker’ is the direct object.
Präposition ‘für’ + Akkusativ
‘für’ always governs the accusative case; here it introduces the duration ‘30 Sekunden’.
Zahlwort + Substantiv
When a numeral modifies a plural noun, the noun stays in the plural form: ‘30 Sekunden’.
🗨In Conversation
Zieh den Stecker für 30 Sekunden.
Pull the plug for 30 seconds.
Okay, mache ich gleich.
Okay, I’ll do it right away.
✕Common Mistakes
ziehen den Stecker für 30 Sekunden.
The infinitive ‘ziehen’ cannot be used for a direct command; you need the imperative ‘Zieh’ (or ‘Ziehen Sie’).
für 30 Sekunde.
‘Sekunde’ must be plural when the number is greater than one.
Zieh den Stecker aus für 30 Sekunden.
While understandable, the more idiomatic phrase for a quick reset is ‘Zieh den Stecker…’. ‘Ausziehen’ can sound like a permanent removal.
↔Alternatives
Zieh den Stecker für eine halbe Minute.
Pull the plug for half a minute.
Trenne den Stecker für 30 Sekunden.
Disconnect the plug for 30 seconds.
Ziehen Sie den Stecker für 30 Sekunden.
Pull the plug for 30 seconds. (formal)
Cultural Tip
In German the informal singular imperative (‘Zieh’) is used with friends, family, or anyone you address with ‘du’. In a professional or customer‑service context you would switch to the formal form: ‘Ziehen Sie den Stecker…’. Also, Germans often say ‘Stecker ziehen’ (literally ‘pull the plug’) rather than ‘Stecker ausstecken’, which is more common in English.