01
sich anfühlen
to feel
To cause a particular sensation on the skin when something is touched; to have a particular tactile quality.
example
Der Samtstoff fühlt sich sehr weich und angenehm an.
The velvet fabric feels very soft and pleasant.
anfühlen
to feel
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable and reflexive
'Anfühlen' (to feel) is a separable and reflexive verb. The prefix 'an-' goes to the end in a main clause. The reflexive pronoun 'sich' is obligatory and refers to the subject that has the quality.
EXAMPLE
Dieser Pullover fühlt sich kratzig an.
This sweater feels scratchy.
Sentence structure for textures
To describe a tactile quality, the verb follows a simple pattern: the subject (the thing) feels a certain way (adjective).
EXAMPLE
Die kalte Metalloberfläche fühlte sich unangenehm an.
The cold metal surface felt unpleasant.
Sentence structure for feelings
For abstract impressions, the impersonal structure 'Es fühlt sich ... an' (It feels ...) is often used, followed by an infinitive construction with 'zu' (to) or a subordinate clause.
EXAMPLE
Es fühlt sich gut an, anderen zu helfen.
It feels good to help others.
Compare with
anfühlen vs fühlen
to feel
'fühlen' and 'sich anfühlen' both describe sensations or feelings. 'fühlen' is used when a person perceives a feeling, a physical state, or a touch: I feel something, or I feel a certain way. 'sich anfühlen', on the other hand, describes what impression something gives a person. The subject is then usually the thing or situation: 'Der Stoff fühlt sich weich an' (the fabric feels soft). Learners often confuse the words because of their similar form. Remember: a person 'fühlt'; a thing 'fühlt sich' a certain way 'an'.
anfühlen
Der neue Pullover fühlt sich auf der Haut sehr weich an.
The new sweater feels very soft against the skin.
fühlen
Nach dem langen Arbeitstag fühlt sich meine Nachbarin sehr müde.
After the long workday, my neighbor feels very tired.
In real life
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