anreden
to speak to
To begin a conversation with a person; to speak to someone.
EXAMPLE
Ein Fremder hat mich auf der Straße angeredet und nach dem Weg gefragt.
A stranger spoke to me on the street and asked for directions.
anreden
to speak to / to address
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Meanings
anreden
to address
To use a specific form of address, such as 'du' or 'Sie', or a title for someone.
EXAMPLE
Darf ich Sie mit Ihrem Vornamen anreden?
May I address you by your first name?
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Anreden' (to speak to / to address) is a separable verb. The prefix 'an-' goes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Er redet die Professorin immer sehr höflich an.
He always addresses the professor very politely.
Use with the accusative
The verb 'anreden' (to speak to / to address) always needs a direct object in the accusative. You ask: Wen oder was redest du an? (Whom or what are you speaking to/addressing?)
EXAMPLE
Der Verkäufer hat mich sofort angeredet, als ich den Laden betrat.
The salesperson spoke to me immediately when I entered the store.
Sentence structure for forms of address
When you name the form of address, e.g. 'du' or 'Sie', use the preposition 'mit' followed by the dative. The pattern is: jemanden (accusative) mit etwas (dative) anreden.
EXAMPLE
In unserer Firma reden wir alle Kollegen mit dem Vornamen an.
In our company, we address all colleagues by their first names.
Compare with
anreden vs nennen
to call / name
Here, nennen refers generally to the designation used for a person. Anreden refers more specifically to the form of address or title used in direct conversation. Anreden is therefore the better choice for addressing someone directly.
anreden
Die Patienten reden den neuen Arzt mit Herr Doktor an.
The patients address the new doctor as “Doctor.”
nennen
Die Kollegen nennen den neuen Arzt einfach Herr Weber.
The colleagues simply call the new doctor Mr. Weber.
In real life
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