ansagen
to announce
To announce something publicly, for example the next song, the next program item, or the next stop.
EXAMPLE
Der Schaffner sagte den nächsten Halt an.
The conductor announced the next stop.
ansagen
to announce
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Meanings
jemandem/etwas den Kampf ansagen
to declare war on
A fixed expression that means deciding to take active action against a person, thing, or situation.
EXAMPLE
Die Regierung hat der Korruption den Kampf angesagt.
The government has declared war on corruption.
etwas ansagen
to announce
Colloquial for proclaiming a clear intention or taking the lead and deciding what will be done.
EXAMPLE
Der Trainer hat für die nächste Saison den Aufstieg angesagt.
The coach has announced promotion for next season.
ansagen
to declare
In card games, to declare a particular type of game or the trump suit.
EXAMPLE
Beim Skat muss man vor dem ersten Stich ansagen, welches Spiel man spielt.
In Skat, you have to declare which game you are playing before the first trick.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Ansagen' is a separable verb. The prefix 'an-' goes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses or after a modal verb, the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Der Moderator sagt den nächsten Gast an.
The host announces the next guest.
Context clue: the object
You can often recognize which meaning is intended from the object. If you say 'einen Halt' (a stop) or 'ein Lied' (a song) with 'ansagen', it is an announcement. If you say 'den Kampf' (the fight), it is a declaration of war. If you say 'den Sieg' (victory), it is a confident claim.
EXAMPLE
Im Zug wurde der nächste Bahnhof angesagt.
The next station was announced on the train.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'ankündigen' (to announce), 'ansagen' is often used for public information. Typical phrases are: 'eine Haltestelle ansagen' (to announce a stop), 'das Wetter ansagen' (to announce the weather), 'einen Programmpunkt ansagen' (to announce a program item), or 'ein Lied ansagen' (to announce a song).
EXAMPLE
Im Radio wurde gerade ein Stau auf der A5 angesagt.
A traffic jam on the A5 was just announced on the radio.
Fixed expression with dative
The expression 'jemandem/etwas den Kampf ansagen' (to declare war on someone/something) is fixed. The person or thing you want to fight against is always in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Die Ärztin hat den Kilos den Kampf angesagt und eine Diät begonnen.
The doctor declared war on the kilos and started a diet.
Register: colloquial
When 'ansagen' announces an intention or goal, the usage is colloquial. It often expresses great self-confidence or a challenge.
EXAMPLE
Vor dem Spiel hat der Kapitän den Sieg angesagt.
Before the game, the captain announced victory.
Compare with
ansagen vs ankündigen
to announce
Both verbs can be used to announce an upcoming event publicly. Ankündigen is more general and can also happen in writing or in advance; ansagen typically refers to a specific public announcement, for example as part of a program or at a stop. Choose ansagen when something is presented directly and orally.
ansagen
Die Moderatorin sagte den nächsten Programmpunkt direkt auf der Bühne an.
The presenter announced the next item on the program directly from the stage.
ankündigen
Das Theater kündigte den neuen Spielplan schon im Internet an.
The theater announced the new season's program online well in advance.
In real life
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