Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| tragen | /ˈtʁaːɡn̩/ /ˈtʁaːɡŋ̩/ |
| anhaben | /ˈanˌhaːbən/ |
The verb tragen can be used to describe the act of wearing clothes or accessories, but it is also polysemous, meaning it is used for the physical act of carrying an object. Related nouns for clothing include Bekleidung, Kleidung and Mode, while Abnutzung and Verschleiß refer to the noun form of wear in the sense of damage.
Which one should you use?
While tragen is used for the act of wearing or the general state of wearing, anhaben is a common, slightly more colloquial way to say someone is currently wearing something.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
tragen is a strong (irregular) verb. Its past tense form is trug and its past participle is getragen. anhaben is a separable verb, which means the prefix an moves to the end of the clause in a simple main sentence, such as Ich habe einen Hut an.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtʁaːɡn̩/
Did you know?
- The German verb tragen is a close relative of the English word 'drag'. Both words originally described the act of pulling or drawing something along the ground.
- The word tragen is used for 'bearing' a name or a title, not just physical clothes or objects.
- The German word Mode refers to fashion, and using tragen in the context of Mode can mean a style is currently 'in' or trending.
Examples in context
- Tragen Sie eine Brille?Do you wear glasses?This sentence is useful for asking if someone wears glasses using tragen.Tatoeba #1920779 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1920431 by Spamster
- Wir tragen immer Helme.We always wear helmets.This sentence is useful for stating that helmets are worn using tragen.Tatoeba #13421157 by Waldelfe, translation #10946801 by CK
- Ich muss Stiefel tragen.I have to wear boots.This sentence is useful for expressing a necessity to wear boots using tragen.Tatoeba #1746014 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1744769 by Amastan
- Ich trage einen Anzug zur Arbeit.I wear a suit to work.
- Sie tragen eine elegante Kette.You (formal) wear an elegant necklace.
- Ich habe meine Lieblingsbluse an.I'm wearing my favorite blouse.
- Er hat seinen neuen Hut an.He's wearing his new hat.
- Was ziehst du heute Abend an?What are you wearing tonight?
- Zieh dir eine Jacke an, es ist kalt draußen.Put on a jacket, it's cold outside.
- Ich trage heute mein Lieblingskleid.I'm wearing my favorite dress today.
- Tragt ihr oft Hüte?Do you (plural/informal) often wear hats?
- 250 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Maximilian are getting ready for a formal party.
- SarahMaximilian, wirst du heute einen Anzug tragen?Maximilian, will you wear a suit today?
- MaximilianJa, ich trage meinen neuen blauen Anzug.Yes, I am wearing my new blue suit.
- SarahGut, ich trage mein langes Abendkleid.Good, I am wearing my long evening dress.
- MaximilianDu wirst darin fantastisch aussehen.You will look fantastic in it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wear” translations and entries tragen, anhaben, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries anhaben, tragen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
