Last Updated on May 3, 2024
beginnen and anfangen are considered to be almost complete synonyms. But there is also a slight difference. To these two, let’s add the very limited use of starten.
Use: difference between benutzen and verwenden, nutzen, gebrauchen, anwenden
Difference between steigen, steigern, erhöhen, erheben, zulegen, zunehmen
German synonyms. Receive: erhalten or bekommen, kriegen, beziehen, erlangen
Schwer or schwierig
German idioms about talking
SS or ß in German
Difference between beginnen and anfangen
Anfangen is used more frequently. Beginnen is considered more written and formal.
According to some authors, anfangen refers to significant changes (creation of the world, revolution, some significant internal changes in a person), as well as to physical work (start writing letters, work with tools, etc.)
eine Ausbildung, einen Streit anfangen
mit dem Rauchen, dem Training anfangen
Und dann fing er an, Geschichten zu erzählen
von null anfangen
als Praktikant anfangen
du kannst bei uns anfangen
Ich weiß gar nicht, wo ich anfangen soll
beginnen often refers to some events that have a clear beginning: events, concerts, negotiations, etc. But in most cases, you will not notice much difference with anfangen. Unless beginnen is more convenient to use, so as not to suffer with a separable prefix.
eine Arbeit von vorn beginnen
wir beginnen am besten gleich
zu reden, lachen, zweifeln beginnen
mit einer Arbeit beginnen
der Tag, das Jahr, der Wettbewerb, Krieg beginnt
die Vorstellung beginnt um sieben Uhr
hinter der Stadt beginnt das freie Feld
starten
starten is used in specific cases, namely when there is a start. It can be an airplane, running, horse racing and other similar competitions, a car (motor), a computer (again, a motor). In a figurative sense, a campaign (advertising or political), an action can also start – here there is also a competitive element with a starting line and the finish line.
er startet bei den Meisterschaften
das Flugzeug kann wegen Nebels nicht starten
er startet das Auto
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