Before you start
Meet anfangen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
an- + fangen
- an-
- toward or into an activity
- fangen
- to catch
You catch hold of an activity and get it underway.
So anfangen means to begin; to start.
A memory aid, not a rule: prefixes change meaning from verb to verb.
Learning approach inspired by this explanation in r/German.
Separable verb: an·fangen
In a main clause the prefix an splits off and goes to the end. After weil, dass and other subordinating words, the verb stays in one piece at the end.
Main clauseIch fange jetzt mit der Arbeit an.I’m starting work now.
Subordinate clauseSie sagt, dass das Spiel gleich anfängt.She says the game is starting soon.
Participle: angefangenzu-infinitive: anzufangen
Forms
How anfangen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | fange an | fing an |
| du | fängst an | fingst an |
| er/sie/es | fängt an | fing an |
| wir | fangen an | fingen an |
| ihr | fangt an | fingt an |
| Sie | fangen an | fingen an |
Partizip II angefangen · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Der Film fängt um acht an.The movie starts at eight.prefix goes to the end
- 2Wir haben mit dem Essen angefangen.We started eating.Perfekt with haben
- 3Ich bin froh, dass der Kurs heute anfängt.I’m glad the course starts today.verb at the end after dass
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
anfangen + der Film
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Say what time the film starts.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I started it yesterday.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When the busder Bus arrived, we started the lessonder Unterricht.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
We started dinnerdas Abendessen because it was late.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The courseder Kurs that starts tomorrow is very short.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She wants to start workdie Arbeit earlyfrüh.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He started to learnlernen GermanDeutsch.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When do you start the filmder Film?
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 9 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
anfangen + das Spiel + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause.
- 2Put the verb at the end of that clause.
- 3Use the simple past for the game starting.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
What would you like to start learning this year?
Your challenge
- 1Answer with what you would like to start learning.
- 2Use anfangen with a zu-infinitive.