anfangen

This is a separable verb. That is the most important part to remember. The an part likes to jump to the very end of your sentence. If you say 'I start,' it is Ich fange an. If you want to say what you are starting, use the word mit. For example: Ich fange mit dem Projekt an. Just remember to keep that an at the finish line. It feels like a little surprise at the end of the sentence.

Use it for almost any daily activity. Use it when the movie starts at 8:00 PM. Use it when you are finally starting your homework. It works perfectly for meetings at work too. If you are texting a friend to ask when the party starts, this is your word. It is the ultimate 'all-rounder' for beginnings.

Do not use anfangen for starting a machine or a car. For a car, you want anlassen or starten. You also do not use it for 'starting' a fire. That would be anzünden. If you are opening a shop for the first time ever, you might use eröffnen instead. Keep anfangen for actions and events, not ignitions. Also, avoid it in very high-level academic writing where beginnen sounds more professional.

Germans have a famous saying: Aller Anfang ist schwer. This means 'Every beginning is difficult.' It reflects a cultural respect for the effort it takes to start something new. There is a certain weight given to the 'Anfang.' Once you start, you are expected to follow through. Punctuality is huge here. If a meeting fängt um neun an, you better be there at 8:55!

Der Anfang is the noun form, meaning 'the beginning.' You will also hear Anfänger, which means 'beginner.' If someone is doing something for the first time, they are an Anfänger. You might also hear anfänglich, which means 'initially.' In casual speech, people might just shout Fang an! to tell you to get a move on.