01
anrufen
to call
To establish contact with someone by telephone and speak to them.
example
Ich muss später noch meine Mutter anrufen.
I still have to call my mother later.
anrufen
to call
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Anrufen' is a separable verb. The prefix 'an-' comes at the end in main clauses, remains attached to the verb in subordinate clauses, and in the infinitive, 'zu' stands between 'an' and 'rufen'.
EXAMPLE
Ich rufe dich heute Abend an.
I’ll call you this evening.
Accusative object
A common mistake is using the dative. But the accusative is always correct: you call 'jemanden' (someone, accusative), not 'jemandem' (someone, dative).
EXAMPLE
Wen hast du gestern angerufen?
Whom did you call yesterday?
Use with 'bei'
When you are not calling a person directly, but rather an institution or company, the preposition 'bei' (+ dative) is often used.
EXAMPLE
Hast du schon bei der Fluggesellschaft angerufen?
Have you already called the airline?
Register and context
This meaning is very formal and is used almost exclusively in legal language. In everyday life, 'anrufen' always means 'to contact by telephone'.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Urteil entschied sie, eine höhere Instanz anzurufen.
After the verdict, she decided to appeal to a higher authority.
Compare with
anrufen vs erreichen
to reach
'erreichen' and 'anrufen' can both have to do with phone contact. 'anrufen' describes the action: you dial the number and try to speak with someone. 'erreichen' describes the result: the contact works, meaning the person answers the phone or responds. That is why you can call someone but not reach them. Learners often confuse the words because both occur in phone situations. Remember: 'anrufen' is the attempt; 'erreichen' is successful contact.
anrufen
Nach der Arbeit rufe ich meine Schwester an und frage nach ihrem Termin.
After work, I call my sister and ask about her appointment.
erreichen
Im Büro erreiche ich meinen Kollegen meistens erst nach der Mittagspause.
At the office, I can usually only reach my colleague after the lunch break.
In real life
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