Learn German: How to Use the Verb “Anfangen” (A1)
Do you want to say “to start” or “to begin” in German? Then you need the verb anfangen.
Anfangen is a very important word for beginners. In this article, you will learn how to use it in the present tense (Präsens).
What Does “Anfangen” Mean?
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anfangen = to start / to begin
Here are two easy examples:
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Ich fange an. = I start.
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Der Film fängt an. = The movie starts.
Watch Out: It is a Separable Verb!
In German, some verbs are separable (trennbar). This means the verb has two parts: a prefix (an-) and a main verb (fangen).
When you make a normal sentence, the prefix an goes to the very end of the sentence!
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Example: Ich fange morgen mit dem Deutschkurs an.
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Translation: I start the German course tomorrow.
How to Conjugate “Anfangen”
The main verb fangen changes its form. Be careful with du and er/sie/es—the letter a changes to ä!
| Subject (Pronoun) | German Verb | English Meaning |
| Ich | fange … an | I start |
| Du | fängst … an | You start (informal) |
| Er / Sie / Es | fängt … an | He / She / It starts |
| Wir | fangen … an | We start |
| Ihr | fangt … an | You all start |
| Sie / Sie | fangen … an | They / You start (formal) |
Let’s Practice: Easy A1 Sentences
Wann fängst du an?
(When do you start?)
Wir fangen jetzt an!
(We are starting now!)
Die Schule fängt um 8 Uhr an.
(School starts at 8 o’clock.)