Method for operating an internal combustion engine

In a method for forming a fuel/air mixture in a direct-injection internal combustion engine with a fuel injection nozzle arranged in each cylinder, a closing member of the fuel injection nozzle is moved from a closed position to an operating position by means of a control device at different speeds until the operating stroke is reached, in order to obtain optimum combustion, and a uniform concentration of the fuel particles introduced with increased impulse into the combustion chamber is achieved providing for the formation of a swirl with a constant symmetry and uniform distribution of fuel in the swirl.