01
angeben
to state
To name, provide, or enter information, data, or facts in a form.
example
Bitte geben Sie auf dem Formular Ihre vollständige Adresse an.
Please state your full address on the form.
angeben
to state / boast / report
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Angeben' is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'an' comes at the end. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Er gibt seine persönlichen Daten nicht gerne an.
He does not like to state his personal data.
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning from the sentence structure: If there is an object like 'Adresse' (address) or 'Name' (name), it means 'mitteilen' (to provide/state). The preposition 'mit' points to 'prahlen' (to boast). A person object and 'bei' point to 'verraten' (to inform on/report).
EXAMPLE
Geben Sie bitte Ihre Telefonnummer an.
Please state your telephone number.
Sentence structure when boasting
In the colloquial meaning 'prahlen' (to boast), 'angeben' is often used with the preposition 'mit' + dative to say what someone is boasting about.
EXAMPLE
Er muss nicht ständig mit seinem Erfolg angeben.
He does not need to constantly boast about his success.
Fixed expressions
In the meaning 'vorgeben' (to set/dictate), 'angeben' is often used in fixed expressions such as 'den Ton angeben' (to set the tone) or 'die Richtung angeben' (to indicate/set the direction).
EXAMPLE
In der Gruppe versucht immer eine Person, den Ton anzugeben.
In the group, one person is always trying to set the tone.
Compare with
angeben vs wichtig
important
'sich wichtig machen' and 'angeben' both describe behavior where someone wants to impress others. With 'angeben', someone boasts about something, for example money, success, or ability. 'Sich wichtig machen' means more that someone acts as if they were especially important or had a lot of influence. The words are similar, but the focus is different: 'angeben' fits boasting about possessions or achievements, while 'sich wichtig machen' fits acting overly important.
angeben
Mein Kollege gibt ständig mit seinem neuen Auto an.
My colleague is constantly boasting about his new car.
wichtig
Im Meeting hat sich Tom wieder wichtig gemacht, obwohl er kaum etwas wusste.
In the meeting, Tom acted important again, even though he hardly knew anything.
In real life
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