antreten
to begin
To begin something, for example a new job, a journey, or an office.
EXAMPLE
Nächsten Montag trete ich meine neue Stelle in Hamburg an.
Next Monday I begin my new position in Hamburg.
antreten
to begin / to compete
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Meanings
antreten
to compete
To take part in a competition, an exam, or an election.
EXAMPLE
Die Mannschaft wird nächstes Wochenende bei der Meisterschaft antreten.
The team will compete in the championship next weekend.
ein Erbe antreten
to inherit an estate
To take on an inheritance, meaning the assets or debts of a deceased person.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Tod seines Vaters musste er ein kompliziertes Erbe antreten.
After his father's death, he had to inherit a complicated estate.
antreten
to assemble
To gather at a certain place or line up in a row, often in a military or sports context.
EXAMPLE
Die Soldaten mussten pünktlich um sechs Uhr zum Appell antreten.
The soldiers had to assemble punctually at six o'clock for roll call.
den Beweis antreten
to provide proof
To prove or provide evidence that a claim or assumption is true.
EXAMPLE
Vor Gericht musste er den Beweis antreten, dass er unschuldig ist.
In court, he had to provide proof that he was innocent.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Antreten' (to begin / to compete) is a separable verb. The prefix 'an' stands at the end of the sentence in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Sie tritt morgen ihre neue Arbeit an.
She begins her new job tomorrow.
Perfect tense with 'sein'
The perfect tense of 'antreten' (to begin / to compete) is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be), not with 'haben' (to have). This applies to all meanings of the verb.
EXAMPLE
Er ist gestern seine lange Reise nach Australien angetreten.
He began his long journey to Australia yesterday.
Formal style
The verb 'antreten' (to begin / to compete) is often used in a formal, official, or ceremonial context. It sounds more elevated than, for example, 'anfangen' (to start) or 'beginnen' (to begin).
EXAMPLE
Der neue Präsident ist sein Amt letzte Woche feierlich angetreten.
The new president formally took office last week.
Typical collocations
In this meaning, 'antreten' (to begin) is often combined with nouns that describe a new stage of life or a new task. Typical expressions are: 'eine Stelle antreten' (to take up a position), 'eine Reise antreten' (to begin a journey), 'ein Amt antreten' (to take office), or 'den Dienst antreten' (to report for duty).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Studium hat er eine Stelle als Ingenieur angetreten.
After university, he took up a position as an engineer.
In competition
When it comes to competitions, 'antreten' (to compete) is often used with prepositions such as 'bei' (at/in, for a tournament), 'zu' (for, for an exam), or 'gegen' (against, for an opponent).
EXAMPLE
Die deutsche Mannschaft ist im Finale gegen Argentinien angetreten.
The German team competed against Argentina in the final.
Fixed expression
The expression 'ein Erbe antreten' (to inherit an estate) is a fixed collocation and means to take on an inheritance with all rights and obligations.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Tod seiner Tante musste er ein unerwartetes Erbe antreten.
After his aunt's death, he had to inherit an unexpected estate.
Compare with
antreten vs beginnen
to begin
Beginnen and antreten can express the beginning of a new job, journey, or office. Beginnen is general and only states that something starts, while antreten is especially associated with these fixed combinations. Antreten works well for a new job or office; for other processes, beginnen remains the general choice.
antreten
Mira tritt am Montag ihre neue Stelle an.
Mira takes up her new position on Monday.
beginnen
Mira beginnt am Montag ihre neue Stelle.
Mira starts her new job on Monday.
In real life
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