anfangen
to begin / to start
Separable prefix: an|fangen
A separable prefix verb (an + fangen) with a→ä stem change. Very common in everyday German. Separates in main clauses: 'Ich fange an'.
Conjugation
Present Tense (Präsens)
| Pronomen | Form |
|---|---|
| ich | fange an |
| du | fängst an |
| er/sie/es | fängt an |
| wir | fangen an |
| ihr | fangt an |
| sie/Sie | fangen an |
Simple Past (Präteritum)
| Pronomen | Form |
|---|---|
| ich | fing an |
| du | fingst an |
| er/sie/es | fing an |
| wir | fingen an |
| ihr | fingt an |
| sie/Sie | fingen an |
Perfect (Perfekt)
| Auxiliary | Partizip II |
|---|---|
| haben | angefangen |
z.B.: Ich habe angefangen
Imperative (Imperativ)
| du | ihr | Sie |
|---|---|---|
| fang an | fangt an | fangen Sie an |
Example Sentences
Wann fängst du mit der Arbeit an?
When do you start work?
Der Kurs hat letzte Woche angefangen.
The course started last week.
Usage Tips
Separable: 'Ich fange um 8 Uhr an' (prefix goes to end). In Nebensatz stays together: 'weil ich um 8 anfange'.
Common Mistakes
Not separating: 'Ich anfange um 8 Uhr'
Related Verbs
Related Grammar
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