01
anfangen
to begin / start
To begin an action, process, or state.
example
Wann fängt der Deutschkurs an?
When does the German course start?
anfangen
to begin / to start
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Anfangen' (to begin/start) is a separable verb. The prefix 'an' comes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive, the verb stays together, with 'zu' placed between 'an' and 'fangen' in an infinitive clause.
EXAMPLE
Ich fange morgen mit dem neuen Projekt an.
I'm starting the new project tomorrow.
Usage patterns
To express what you are beginning, there are two common patterns. Use 'mit + dative' for a thing or activity and 'zu + infinitive' for an action.
EXAMPLE
Fangen wir mit der ersten Übung an.
Let's start with the first exercise.
Fixed expression
The expression 'etwas mit jemandem/etwas anfangen' means 'to have a use for something/someone' or 'to know what to do with something/someone.' It is almost always used in questions or negative sentences.
EXAMPLE
Was soll ich denn mit so viel Gemüse anfangen?
What am I supposed to do with so many vegetables?
Typical collocations
There are several fixed expressions with 'anfangen' (to begin/start). Very common ones are 'von vorne anfangen' (to start from scratch) or 'ein Gespräch anfangen' (to start a conversation).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Fehler mussten wir die ganze Arbeit von vorne anfangen.
After the mistake, we had to start the whole job from scratch.
Compare with
anfangen vs nutzen
to use / benefit
'nutzen' and 'anfangen' overlap only in one specific use. 'nutzen' means that you use something because it is helpful or has a purpose. 'anfangen' normally means 'to begin / start'. But in the phrase 'etwas mit etwas anfangen', it means: to know what something can be used for. That is why you can say: 'Ich kann damit nichts anfangen' (I can't do anything with it / it doesn't mean anything to me). Learners may confuse the words because both involve use. For direct use, choose 'nutzen'. For the question of whether something is useful or understandable to someone, 'mit etwas anfangen' fits.
anfangen
Mit dieser alten Anleitung kann ich leider nichts anfangen.
Unfortunately, I can't do anything with these old instructions.
nutzen
Für die Präsentation nutzen wir die Bilder aus dem letzten Projekt.
For the presentation, we are using the pictures from the last project.
In real life
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