German word

anknüpfen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈanknʏpfən/

Meaning

  • verblink

Example

Er knüpfte das vorherige Thema an.

He linked the previous topic.

Illustration for anknüpfen (link)

More examples

Bei der Diskussion konnte sie ihre Punkte an persönliche Erfahrungen anknüpfen.

In the discussion, she was able to link her points to personal experiences.

Core concept

A new thread tied onto an existing line, so the connection continues from what was already there.

Common phrases

  • an persönliche Erfahrungen anknüpfen

    link to personal experiences

  • an gemeinsame Interessen anknüpfen

    link to common interests

  • an einen Meinungsfaden anknüpfen

    link to an opinion thread

Similar words

aufgreifen: Takes up another person's topic or concern as a starting point for discussion.
anschließen: Adds remarks that continue from another topic or discussion.
verknüpfen: Brings several things together through their meaning or relationship.
fortsetzen: Resumes an interrupted discussion or activity and carries it through to completion.

Definition in German

Trennbares Verb; etwas gedanklich oder sachlich mit etwas verbinden und dadurch Bezug auf Vorheriges herstellen.

Word origin

Anknüpfen combines the separable prefix an- with knüpfen, an inherited Germanic verb meaning "tie" or "knot", extending physical tying into connection with something existing.

Usage tips

  • As a separable verb, it appears as "knüpft ... an" in a main clause, while the infinitive and participle are "anknüpfen" and "angeknüpft".

Other meanings

  • relateverb

Opposites

  • loslösendetachverb

Related words

  • Anknüpfungconnectionnoun
  • anknüpfendconnectingadjective

Word lists with this word