German word

anrufen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈanˌʁuːfən/

Meaning

  • verbcall

Example

Ich rufe dich morgen Nachmittag an.

I'll call you tomorrow afternoon.

Illustration for anrufen (call)

More examples

Kannst du mich später anrufen, wenn du Zeit hast?

Could you phone me later if you have time?

Core concept

A voice reaches a specific person directly, either through a phone or by calling on that person for help.

Common phrases

  • jemanden anrufen

    phone someone

  • jemanden per Handy anrufen

    phone someone on their mobile

  • bei der Firma anrufen

    phone the company

Similar words

telefonieren: Have a conversation over the phone.
zurückrufen: Return a missed call or respond to a message by phone.
erreichen: Successfully contact someone by phone.

Definition in German

Jemanden telefonisch erreichen; durch einen Anruf Kontakt herstellen.

Word origin

Anrufen combines the separable prefix "an-" with inherited Germanic "rufen", meaning "to call".

Usage tips

  • Anrufen takes the person as an accusative object, as in "jemanden anrufen", and its prefix separates in finite clauses: "Ich rufe dich an".

Other meanings

  • appeal toverb

Related words

  • der Anrufphone callnoun
  • der Anrufercallernoun
  • der Rückrufreturn callnoun

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