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
sich anfühlen
to feel
In a figurative sense, to create a particular feeling, mood, or impression.
EXAMPLE
Es fühlt sich gut an, nach einer langen Arbeitswoche endlich Wochenende zu haben.
It feels good to finally have the weekend after a long workweek.
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 describes what a person perceives through the sense of touch. Sich anfühlen, by contrast, describes the sensation an object produces when touched. Use fühlen for your own perception and sich anfühlen for the object's tactile quality.
anfühlen
Die Oberfläche des Steins fühlt sich unter meinen Fingern rau an.
The stone's surface feels rough under my fingers.
fühlen
Mit den Fingern fühle ich die raue Oberfläche des Steins.
I can feel the rough surface of the stone with my fingers.
In real life
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