German word

antreten

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈantʁeːtən/

Meaning

  • verbset off

Example

Morgen treten wir die Reise an.

Tomorrow we are setting off on the journey.

Illustration for antreten (set off)

More examples

Nach der Pause treten die Mannschaft wieder an.

After the break, the team competes again.

Core concept

A person steps forward into a journey, a new office, or a contest.

Common phrases

  • eine Reise antreten

    set off on a journey

  • die Heimreise antreten

    set off on the journey home

Similar words

losgehen: To start walking away from a place.
losfahren: To set off in a vehicle toward a destination.
anfangen: To begin an activity, process, or event.
aufbrechen: To leave a place and set off on a journey or outing.

Definition in German

Den Beginn einer Handlung durch einen ersten Schritt markieren; konkret eine Reise antreten, ein Amt antreten oder gegen jemanden antreten.

Word origin

The verb combines the inherited Germanic verb treten, meaning 'to step', with the separable prefix an-, which marks movement toward or the start of an action.

Usage tips

  • In the present tense, the prefix separates, as in 'Wir treten die Reise an', while the past participle is 'angetreten'.

Other meanings

  • take officeverb
  • competeverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word