anhaben
to have on
To be wearing an item of clothing.
EXAMPLE
Was hattest du gestern auf der Party an?
What did you have on at the party yesterday?
anhaben
to have on / to harm
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Meanings
jemandem etwas anhaben können
to be able to harm someone
To be able to harm someone or affect them negatively. It is mostly used in negative sentences.
EXAMPLE
Die Kritik konnte ihm nichts anhaben, er blieb ganz gelassen.
The criticism couldn't harm him; he remained completely calm.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Anhaben' (to have on / to harm) is a separable verb made up of 'an' and 'haben' (to have). In a main clause, the prefix 'an' goes at the end. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive, the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Er hatte bei der Feier einen eleganten Anzug an.
He had an elegant suit on at the celebration.
Fixed expression
The expression 'jemandem etwas anhaben können' (to be able to harm someone) is almost always negated. It describes that a person is not affected by something negative. The person to whom nothing happens is always in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Der Regen konnte uns nichts anhaben, wir hatten gute Kleidung.
The rain couldn't harm us; we had good clothing.
Use in questions
In the meaning of 'Kleidung tragen' (to wear clothes), 'anhaben' (to have on) is used very often in spoken language, especially in questions.
EXAMPLE
Was hast du denn heute Schönes an?
What nice thing do you have on today?
Context clue
The two meanings are easy to distinguish. When it is about clothing, an accusative object is often used (ein Kleid anhaben — to have a dress on). When it is about harm, a dative object is always used (jemandem nichts anhaben — to be unable to harm someone).
EXAMPLE
Sie hatte ein schönes Tuch an. (Kleidung)
She had a beautiful scarf on. (clothing)
Compare with
anhaben vs tragen
to wear / carry
Both words can express that a person has a piece of clothing on their body. Anhaben usually describes the current state and sounds more colloquial, while tragen can also refer to a habit or style. Anhaben often fits a momentary state, while tragen is more suitable for general statements.
anhaben
Lara hat heute eine blaue Jacke an.
Lara has a blue jacket on today.
tragen
Lara trägt im Büro oft eine blaue Jacke.
Lara often wears a blue jacket at the office.
In real life
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