anfassen
to touch
To touch something with the hand or fingers.
EXAMPLE
Vorsicht, die Herdplatte ist noch heiß, nicht anfassen!
Careful, the stovetop is still hot—don't touch it!
anfassen
to touch / tackle
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Meanings
anfassen
to tackle
To tackle a task or problem; to begin dealing with it.
EXAMPLE
Wir müssen dieses Problem jetzt endlich richtig anfassen, um es zu lösen.
We finally have to properly tackle this problem now in order to solve it.
jemanden anfassen
to touch someone
To handle someone physically, often in a particular way, e.g. gently or roughly.
EXAMPLE
Der Sanitäter fasste den verletzten Arm des Jungen ganz vorsichtig an.
The paramedic touched the boy's injured arm very carefully.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Anfassen' (to touch / tackle) is a separable verb. The prefix 'an-' comes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Fass den Hund bitte nicht an, er ist sehr scheu.
Please don't touch the dog; it's very shy.
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning from the object: With a concrete object or a person, it means 'to touch'. With an abstract noun like 'Problem' (problem) or 'Thema' (topic), it means 'to begin dealing with it'.
EXAMPLE
Darf ich den Stoff mal anfassen?
May I touch the fabric?
Metaphorical meaning
In the meaning of 'to begin a task', the verb is used metaphorically. You do not physically 'touch' the problem, but begin working on it. Typical objects are 'ein Problem' (a problem), 'eine Aufgabe' (a task), or 'ein Projekt' (a project).
EXAMPLE
Sie weiß nicht, an welcher Stelle sie das Projekt anfassen soll.
She doesn't know where she should start tackling the project.
Use with adverb
When 'anfassen' (to touch) describes how someone handles a person, an adverb is almost always added. This adverb describes the manner of the touch, for example 'sanft anfassen' (to touch gently), 'vorsichtig anfassen' (to touch carefully), or 'grob anfassen' (to touch roughly).
EXAMPLE
Er fasste sie grob am Arm an.
He grabbed her roughly by the arm.
Compare with
anfassen vs angehen
to concern / turn on / tackle
An Problem angehen and ein Problem anfassen both mean beginning to deal with a problem. Angehen is the neutral choice for engaging with it in terms of its content. Anfassen figuratively emphasizes the practical start and is especially suitable when action should finally be taken.
anfassen
Morgen fassen wir das Problem endlich an.
Tomorrow we'll finally tackle the problem.
angehen
Morgen gehen wir das Problem Schritt für Schritt an.
Tomorrow we'll tackle the problem step by step.
In real life
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