angebunden
tied up
Literally: attached to something with a rope, chain, or leash.
EXAMPLE
Der Hund war vor dem Supermarkt an einem Haken angebunden.
The dog was tied to a hook in front of the supermarket.
angebunden
tied up / curt
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Meanings
angebunden
curt
Figuratively: 'kurz angebunden sein' (to be curt); to respond tersely, coolly, or unfriendly in conversation.
EXAMPLE
Er war am Telefon sehr kurz angebunden und hatte offensichtlich keine Zeit.
He was very curt on the phone and obviously had no time.
Usage tips
Word structure
'Angebunden' is the past participle of the separable verb 'anbinden' (to tie up). It is often used like an adjective to describe a state.
EXAMPLE
Das Pferd wartete angebunden am Zaun.
The horse waited tied up by the fence.
Context clue
You can recognize the literal meaning when it is about the physical fastening of animals or objects. The figurative meaning refers to people's communication and occurs almost only in the expression 'kurz angebunden sein' (to be curt).
EXAMPLE
Das Boot war sicher am Steg angebunden.
The boat was securely tied to the jetty.
Preposition and case
In the literal meaning, 'angebunden' (tied up) is used with the preposition 'an' and the dative to name the place where something is attached.
EXAMPLE
Die Fahrräder waren an einem Laternenpfahl angebunden.
The bicycles were tied to a lamppost.
Fixed expression
The figurative meaning is almost always used in the fixed expression 'kurz angebunden sein' (to be curt). It describes a person who gives only very brief and unfriendly answers.
EXAMPLE
Entschuldigung, dass ich gestern so kurz angebunden war, ich hatte großen Stress.
Sorry that I was so curt yesterday; I was under a lot of stress.
Compare with
angebunden vs gebunden
bound
angebunden usually means that something is attached to a fixed object with a rope, chain, or leash. gebunden is more general and also works when several things are held together with a string.
angebunden
Das Boot ist mit einem Seil am Pfahl angebunden.
The boat is tied to the post with a rope.
gebunden
Die Bretter sind mit einem Seil zu einem Bündel gebunden.
The boards are tied together with a rope into a bundle.
In real life
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