ansprechen
to approach
To turn to someone in order to start a conversation.
EXAMPLE
Ein Fremder hat mich auf der Straße angesprochen und nach dem Weg gefragt.
A stranger approached me on the street and asked for directions.
ansprechen
to address / appeal to
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
ansprechen
to address
To bring up a topic or problem and talk about it.
EXAMPLE
In der Besprechung müssen wir unbedingt das Budgetproblem ansprechen.
In the meeting, we absolutely have to address the budget problem.
ansprechen
to appeal to
To have a certain, usually positive, effect on someone; to please someone or spark their interest.
EXAMPLE
Das moderne Design des Stuhls spricht mich sehr an.
The chair's modern design really appeals to me.
ansprechen auf
to respond to
To react to a treatment or stimulus, especially in a medical context.
EXAMPLE
Der Patient spricht gut auf das neue Medikament an.
The patient is responding well to the new medication.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Ansprechen' (to approach/address/appeal to) is a separable verb. The prefix 'an-' comes at the end in a main clause; in subordinate clauses and in the infinitive, it remains attached to the verb.
EXAMPLE
Warum sprichst du sie nicht einfach an?
Why don't you just approach her?
Context clue
The object reveals the meaning: If you 'spricht man eine Person an' (approach a person), you start a conversation. If you 'spricht man ein Thema an' (address a topic), you talk about it. If a thing 'spricht eine Person an' (appeals to a person), they like it.
EXAMPLE
Er hat die neue Kollegin im Flur angesprochen.
He approached the new colleague in the hallway.
Sentence structure
In the meaning of 'gefallen' (to please/appeal to), the thing that is pleasing is the subject of the sentence. The person who likes it is the accusative object.
EXAMPLE
Dieses Lied spricht mich emotional sehr an.
This song appeals to me very much emotionally.
Fixed preposition
In a medical context, 'ansprechen' (to respond) is almost always used with the preposition 'auf' and the accusative to describe a reaction to a treatment.
EXAMPLE
Die Entzündung spricht gut auf das Antibiotikum an.
The inflammation is responding well to the antibiotic.
Compare with
gefalleninteressierenerwähnenreagierenaussprechenwendenabholenbesprechenkonfrontierenthematisierenverwickelnaufgreifenadressierenanschneidenansteuernaufwerfenanreden
ansprechen vs gefallen
to please / to fall
„Gefallen“ means that a design pleases someone and is perceived as pleasant. „Ansprechen“ emphasizes more that it sparks interest or has a particular effect; this does not yet have to mean that the person has made a final positive judgment. Choose „gefallen“ for a positive judgment and „ansprechen“ for the initial appeal.
ansprechen
Das schlichte Design spricht mich an und weckt mein Interesse.
The simple design appeals to me and sparks my interest.
gefallen
Das schlichte Design gefällt mir sofort.
I immediately like the simple design.
In real life
Loading video examples...