Before you start
Meet anrufen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
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.
Verb family
More verbs built on rufen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
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
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
an·rufen + der Freund
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use der Freund as the person you call.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I called her yesterdaygestern.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When I got homenach Hause kommen, I called him.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I called her because she was illkrank.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I called the friendder Freund, die Freunde who lives next doornebenan.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I have to call the doctorder Arzt, die Ärzte todayheute.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She called me to askfragen about the timedie Uhrzeit.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Could you call me tonightheute Abend?
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:
an·rufen + die Mutter + weil
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense for anrufen.
- 2Include a weil-clause that gives a reason.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
Who do you call when you need help?
Your challenge
- 1Answer with one German sentence.
- 2Say who you call.
- 3Use a wenn-clause to say when.