anknurren
to growl at
To warn or intimidate a person or animal with a deep, threatening growl.
EXAMPLE
Der Wachhund knurrt jeden an, der sich dem Tor nähert.
The guard dog growls at anyone who approaches the gate.
anknurren
to growl at
anknurren – knurrte an – hat angeknurrt
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Meanings
anknurren
to snap at
To speak to someone in an unfriendly or irritated tone.
EXAMPLE
Vor dem ersten Kaffee knurrt er seine Kollegen an.
Before his first coffee, he snaps at his colleagues.
Forms
Present
| ich | knurre an |
|---|---|
| du | knurrst an |
| er/sie/es | knurrt an |
| wir | knurren an |
| ihr | knurrt an |
| sie | knurren an |
Simple past
| ich | knurrte an |
|---|---|
| du | knurrtest an |
| er/sie/es | knurrte an |
| wir | knurrten an |
| ihr | knurrtet an |
| sie | knurrten an |
Perfect
with haben
| ich | habe angeknurrt |
|---|---|
| du | hast angeknurrt |
| er/sie/es | hat angeknurrt |
| wir | haben angeknurrt |
| ihr | habt angeknurrt |
| sie | haben angeknurrt |
Commands
| du | knurre an! |
|---|---|
| ihr | knurrt an! |
| Sie | knurren Sie an! |
Past perfect
| ich | hatte angeknurrt |
|---|---|
| du | hattest angeknurrt |
| er/sie/es | hatte angeknurrt |
| wir | hatten angeknurrt |
| ihr | hattet angeknurrt |
| sie | hatten angeknurrt |
Future
| ich | werde anknurren |
|---|---|
| du | wirst anknurren |
| er/sie/es | wird anknurren |
| wir | werden anknurren |
| ihr | werdet anknurren |
| sie | werden anknurren |
Subjunctive I
| ich | knurre an |
|---|---|
| du | knurrest an |
| er/sie/es | knurre an |
| wir | knurren an |
| ihr | knurret an |
| sie | knurren an |
Used for reported speech.
Subjunctive II
| ich | knurrte an |
|---|---|
| du | knurrtest an |
| er/sie/es | knurrte an |
| wir | knurrten an |
| ihr | knurrtet an |
| sie | knurrten an |
Used for wishes and “would”.
Other forms
| infinitive | anknurren |
|---|---|
| with zu | anzuknurren |
| present participle | anknurrend |
| past participle | angeknurrt |
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Anknurren' (to growl at) consists of 'an' and 'knurren' (to growl) and is separable. In a main clause, the prefix goes at the end of the clause; in a subordinate clause, the verb stays together. In the infinitive with 'zu', 'zu' goes between the prefix and the verb stem.
EXAMPLE
Der Hund knurrte den Besucher an.
The dog growled at the visitor.
Sie ging hinaus, weil der Hund den Besucher anknurrte.
She went outside because the dog was growling at the visitor.
Der Hund begann sofort, den Postboten anzuknurren.
The dog immediately began to growl at the mail carrier.
Accusative object
With 'anknurren' (to growl at / to snap at), the person or animal the growling is directed at is usually in the accusative case. This also applies when the verb is used figuratively to describe an irritated tone.
EXAMPLE
Der Schäferhund knurrte den Briefträger an.
The German shepherd growled at the mail carrier.
Context clue
An animal as the subject and a threatening situation often indicate the literal meaning. When the subject is a person and the verb is followed by a demand or complaint, it usually refers to an irritated tone.
EXAMPLE
Als die Katze näher kam, knurrte der Hund sie an.
As the cat came closer, the dog growled at it.
Er knurrte mich an, ich solle sofort aus seinem Zimmer gehen.
He snapped at me, telling me to leave his room immediately.
Typical collocation
When used to describe irritated speech, 'anknurren' (to snap at) often occurs with a demand or a short command. The person being addressed is the accusative object.
EXAMPLE
Die Nachbarin knurrte ihn an, er solle die Musik leiser machen.
The neighbor snapped at him, telling him to turn the music down.
In real life
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