an die Arbeit gehen
/an diː ˈaʁbaɪ̯t ˈɡeːən/word by word
To say get to work in German, meaning to start on a task, use an die Arbeit gehen.
an die Arbeit gehen describes starting a task or getting down to business, as when people stop talking and begin doing the job. Leg los mit der Arbeit is a casual way to tell a friend to get started.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is made of an, meaning to or at, die, meaning the, Arbeit, meaning work and gehen, meaning to go. Literally it is to go to the work.
Which one should you use?
With someone you address formally, Fangen Sie mit der Arbeit an or Gehen Sie an die Arbeit tell them to start working. Beginnen Sie Ihre Arbeit sofort means start your work immediately.
How does it change in a sentence?
an takes the accusative here, giving die Arbeit, because the phrase describes movement toward a goal.
How do you pronounce it?
In IPA it is /an diː ˈaʁbaɪ̯t ˈɡeːən/, with the stress on the first syllable of Arbeit and of gehen.
Did you know?
- The word Arbeit shares an ancient root with the English word 'orphan'.
Examples in context
- Herr Schmidt, bitte beginnen Sie Ihre Arbeit umgehend. Wir haben eine wichtige Frist zu beachten.Mr. Schmidt, please commence your work immediately. We have an important deadline to meet.
- Hey, los geht's! Wir müssen jetzt wirklich mit der Arbeit anfangen, damit wir rechtzeitig fertig werden.Hey, let's go! We really need to get to work now so that we can finish on time.
- Wir sollten langsam an die Arbeit gehen.We should slowly get to work.
Example conversation
Laura and Lukas are at home in the morning before their shifts.
- LauraBist du bereit, an die Arbeit zu gehen?Are you ready to get to work?
- LukasJa, ich muss jetzt an die Arbeit gehen.Yes, I have to get to work now.
- LauraViel Erfolg bei der Arbeit, Lukas!Good luck at work, Lukas!
- LukasDanke, dir auch einen guten Tag, Laura.Thanks, have a good day too, Laura.
