01
angeln
to fish
To catch fish from the water with a fishing rod (a rod with line and hook).
example
Am Wochenende gehen wir oft am See angeln.
On weekends, we often go fishing at the lake.
angeln
to fish
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'angeln' (to fish) is derived directly from the noun 'die Angel' (the fishing rod), which is a rod used to catch fish. All meanings, including the figurative ones, contain the idea of deliberately 'catching' something.
EXAMPLE
Für das Angeln braucht man eine gute Angel und viel Geduld.
For fishing, you need a good fishing rod and a lot of patience.
Fixed preposition
In the figurative meaning of 'to fish for something', the preposition 'nach' (+ dative) is always used. Typical phrases are 'nach Komplimenten angeln' (to fish for compliments) or 'nach Informationen angeln' (to fish for information).
EXAMPLE
Er fragte beiläufig nach ihrer Meinung und angelte damit nach einem Lob.
He casually asked for her opinion and was fishing for praise by doing so.
Sentence structure with dative
When someone 'angelt' something for themselves (skillfully grabs something), a reflexive dative pronoun is often used. The structure is: subject + angelt + sich (dative) + object (accusative).
EXAMPLE
Sie angelte sich das letzte Stück Kuchen vom Teller.
She fished the last piece of cake off the plate for herself.
Location phrases
When naming the place where someone is fishing, the prepositions 'an' or 'in' with the dative are usually used. You fish 'am See' (at the lake), 'am Fluss' (by the river), or 'im Meer' (in the sea).
EXAMPLE
Mein Vater hat mir das Angeln am nahegelegenen Teich beigebracht.
My father taught me fishing at the nearby pond.
Compare with
angeln vs greifen
to grab / take effect
'greifen' and 'angeln' can both mean that you want to get something with your hand. 'greifen' is the normal word when you take something directly or reach for it. In this meaning, 'angeln' is colloquial and fits when something is hard to reach and you skillfully pull it toward you or fish it out. The words can be confused because the hand is used in both cases. If the object is easy to reach, you usually say 'greifen'. If you have to stretch or laboriously get something out, 'angeln' sounds more natural.
angeln
Tom angelt den Schlüssel mit zwei Fingern aus der engen Tasche.
Tom fishes the key out of the tight pocket with two fingers.
greifen
Sie greift nach ihrer Jacke, weil es draußen kalt wird.
She reaches for her jacket because it is getting cold outside.
In real life
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