anfangen
/ˈanˌfaŋən/
To start in German is anfangen. Wiktionary also lists beginnen and starten.
Meaning: to begin (verb)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| anfangen | /ˈanˌfaŋən/ |
| beginnen | /bəˈɡɪnən/ |
| starten | /ˈʃtartən/ |
Use anfangen when you are talking about starting a task, a hobby or a process in a general sense.
Which one should you use?
While anfangen is more common in everyday spoken German, beginnen sounds more formal or literary. The word starten is a loanword from English and is often used specifically for engines, computers or races.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
anfangen is a separable verb. In a simple present tense sentence, the prefix an moves to the end of the clause, such as in fängt an. The simple past tense of anfangen is fing an.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈanˌfaŋən/
Did you know?
- Because anfangen is built from fangen, which means 'to catch', the literal imagery behind starting a task is akin to 'catching onto' or 'seizing' it.
- While beginnen is the closest relative to the English 'begin', using it to describe starting a simple daily habit like 'starting to eat' might make you sound like a character in a philosophy textbook.
- The German word starten has an unexpected native relative in the word stürzen, which means 'to fall' or 'to plunge'.
Examples in context
- Wo soll ich anfangen?Where shall I start?This sentence shows how to ask where to start using anfangen.Tatoeba #12193115 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #12137421 by sundown
- Du musst bald anfangen.You must start soon.This sentence uses anfangen to express necessity regarding starting soon.Tatoeba #678869 by Dejo, translation #70018 by CK
- Lass uns hier anfangen!Let's start here.This sentence uses anfangen to make a suggestion to start in a specific location.Tatoeba #3034267 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2007839 by CK
- Wir können mit dem Meeting beginnen.We can start the meeting.
- Der Kurs beginnt um 9 Uhr.The course starts at 9 am.
- Bitte beginnen Sie mit Ihrer Präsentation.Please start your presentation.
- Die Veranstaltung fängt gleich an.The event will start soon.
- Der Vortrag hat gerade erst angefangen.The lecture has just started.
- Wann fangen wir mit der Umsetzung an?When do we start with the implementation?
- Wollen wir losgehen?Shall we start?
- Das Konzert geht gleich los.The concert will start soon.
- Der Film hat gerade angefangen.The movie has just started.
- Lass uns mit dem Essen anfangen!Let's start eating!
- 340 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Laura and Julian are preparing for a presentation.
- LauraJulian, wann sollen wir anfangen?Julian, when should we start?
- JulianIch glaube, wir fangen jetzt an.I think we are starting now.
- LauraGut, ich bin bereit.Good, I am ready.
- JulianDann fang du bitte an.Then please, you start.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “start” translations and entries anfangen, beginnen, starten, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries anfangen, beginnen, starten, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
