01
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
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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 los
go / loose
'los' and 'angebunden' form an opposite when it is about whether something or someone is fastened. 'angebunden' means that something is tied up with a leash, rope, or chain. In this context, 'los' means that something is not fixed or has come loose. Important: only this meaning of 'los' fits here. 'Los!' as a command or 'Was ist los?' does not belong to this contrast.
angebunden
Vor dem Laden wartet ein angebundener Hund.
A tied-up dog is waiting in front of the store.
los
Das Boot ist los und treibt langsam vom Ufer weg.
The boat is loose and is slowly drifting away from the shore.
In real life
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