Translation of German word "anrufen" to English
anrufen
/anˈʁuːfən/
Meaning
VerbTo reach out with one's voice. To request, summon, or beckon.
How to use
The strong separable verb anrufen ('to call on the phone') conjugates: ruft an, rief an, hat angerufen. Grammatically, it requires a direct object in the accusative case (Ich rufe dich an — I call you). This is a common error for learners whose native languages govern a dative or preposition (e.g. Russian 'звонить кому-то', Polish 'dzwonić do kogoś').
🇬🇧 English
to call
Example
Ich werde dich anrufen, wenn ich zu Hause bin.
I will call you when I am home.
Ich rufe meine Mutter an, um zu fragen, ob sie zu Hause ist.
I will call my mother to ask if she is home.
Your personal vocabulary
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Common phrases
- anrufen bei— to call at / call a place (requires preposition 'bei' + dative, e.g. 'beim Arzt anrufen')
- später anrufen— to call later
- zurückrufen— to call back / return a call (separable)
This concept in other languages
📖 Related grammar
🦊 Conjugation of the verb "anrufen"Full conjugation →
Present Tense (Präsens)
Simple Past (Präteritum)
Perfect (Perfekt)
ich bin/angerufen
Imperative (Imperativ)
Frequency rank: #252 in German
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the definition of the German word "anrufen"?▼
The German word "anrufen" is defined as: "To reach out with one's voice. To request, summon, or beckon."
What does the German word "anrufen" mean?▼
The German word "anrufen" means "to call" in English.
How do you pronounce the German word "anrufen"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "anrufen" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "anrufen"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Ich werde dich anrufen, wenn ich zu Hause bin." (which translates as "I will call you when I am home.").
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