Before you start
Meet anrufen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
All 2 meanings
- (transitive or intransitive) to call, to ring (by telephone or similar technology) [with accusative or (Switzerland) dative or bei (+ dative) or in (+ dative) (see Usage notes)]
- (literary, transitive) to call on (someone, e.g. a divine being); to appeal to; to call upon
Build the meaning
an- + rufen
- an-
- toward someone, making contact
- rufen
- to call or shout
You call out toward someone to get in touch with them.
So anrufen means to call or phone someone.
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·rufen
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 clauseSie ruft ihren Bruder an.She calls her brother.
Subordinate clauseIch bleibe zu Hause, weil ich dich anrufe.I’m staying home because I’m calling you.
Participle: angerufenzu-infinitive: anzurufen
Forms
How anrufen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | rufe an | rief an |
| du | rufst an | riefst an |
| er/sie/es | ruft an | rief an |
| wir | rufen an | riefen an |
| ihr | ruft an | rieft an |
| Sie | rufen an | riefen an |
Partizip II angerufen · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich rufe meine Mutter heute Abend an.I’m calling my mother this evening.call someone
- 2Wir haben den Arzt gestern angerufen.We called the doctor yesterday.Perfekt with haben
- 3Ruf mich an, wenn du Zeit hast.Call me when you have time.verb at the end after wenn
Verb family
More verbs built on rufen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.