01
angehen
to concern
To affect someone or be of importance to someone. Often used in questions or negations.
example
Deine privaten Probleme gehen mich nichts an.
Your private problems don't concern me.
angehen
to concern / turn on / tackle
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Angehen' is a separable verb with the prefix 'an-'. In main clauses, the prefix stands at the end of the sentence. In subordinate clauses and infinitive constructions, the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Die Heizung geht bei Kälte automatisch an.
The heating turns on automatically when it is cold.
Accusative construction
In the meaning 'betreffen' (to concern), 'angehen' (to concern) is always used with a person in the accusative. The most common form is the negation: 'Das geht dich/mich/uns nichts an.' (That doesn't concern you/me/us.)
EXAMPLE
Was ich in meiner Freizeit tue, geht niemanden etwas an.
What I do in my free time doesn't concern anyone.
Context clue: devices
When 'angehen' (to turn on) means that something begins to function, the subject of the sentence is usually a technical device, a light, or a fire. In this meaning, the verb is often used without an object.
EXAMPLE
Mein alter Laptop geht nur noch sehr langsam an.
My old laptop only turns on very slowly now.
Tackling a problem
In the meaning 'begin to deal with something,' 'angehen' (to tackle) is often combined with abstract nouns such as 'Problem' (problem), 'Aufgabe' (task), 'Projekt' (project), or 'Thema' (topic). The noun is in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Die Firma muss das Thema Nachhaltigkeit strategisch angehen.
The company has to tackle the topic of sustainability strategically.
Fixed expression
The expression 'was ... angeht' (as for/regarding ...) introduces a topic. The verb 'angeht' stands at the end of this subordinate clause. The following main clause can then begin normally.
EXAMPLE
Was die Planung für das Wochenende angeht, bin ich für alles offen.
As for the planning for the weekend, I am open to anything.
Use with 'gegen'
When 'angehen' (to take action against) is used in the sense of 'kämpfen' (to fight) or 'protestieren' (to protest), it always appears with the preposition 'gegen' (against) followed by an accusative object.
EXAMPLE
Die Organisation geht seit Jahren gegen die Umweltverschmutzung an.
The organization has been taking action against environmental pollution for years.
Compare with
angehen vs beginnen
to begin
'beginnen' and 'angehen' can both mean that you start something. 'beginnen' is more general: a course, a conversation, a piece of work, or an action can begin. 'angehen' is used especially when you actively tackle a task, a problem, or a project. It suggests: now you are dealing with it. Learners may confuse the words because both describe a beginning. If only the start is important, 'beginnen' fits. If it is about dealing with a problem or task, 'angehen' is more precise.
angehen
Nach der Besprechung geht das Team das neue Problem gemeinsam an.
After the meeting, the team tackles the new problem together.
beginnen
Der Kurs beginnt morgen um neun Uhr.
The course begins tomorrow at nine o'clock.
In real life
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