anziehen en 30 segundos
- Primary meaning: To put on clothes (separable: zieht... an).
- Secondary meaning: To attract (like a magnet or a tourist site).
- Technical meaning: To tighten (screws, bolts, or brakes).
- Economic meaning: To rise or increase (prices, demand).
The German verb anziehen is a versatile powerhouse in the German language, primarily known to beginners as the act of putting on clothes. However, its semantic range extends far beyond the wardrobe. At its core, the verb combines the prefix an- (at/on/to) with ziehen (to pull). This literal 'pulling onto oneself' perfectly describes the physical act of dressing. But think about what else can be 'pulled'—interest, physical objects, or even market prices. In a physical sense, it describes the force of attraction, like a magnet pulling iron filings. In a financial context, it describes the 'pulling up' of prices or demand. Understanding anziehen requires recognizing it as a separable verb: in a main clause, the 'an' migrates to the very end of the sentence, creating the classic German sentence bracket.
- Physical Action
- The act of donning a garment, such as a coat or shoes.
- Abstract Attraction
- The power to interest or entice someone (e.g., a tourist attraction).
- Mechanical Force
- Tightening a screw or applying a brake.
Ich muss mir erst eine warme Jacke anziehen, bevor wir nach draußen gehen.
When used reflexively (sich anziehen), it simply means 'to get dressed' in a general sense. When used transitively (etwas anziehen), it specifies the garment being put on. This distinction is crucial for A1 learners to master early on. As you progress to higher levels, you will encounter it in physics (attraction) and economics (rising trends).
Gegensätze ziehen sich an.
Using anziehen correctly involves mastering three components: the separable prefix, the reflexive pronoun (when applicable), and the case system. For the simple act of getting dressed, you use the reflexive form: Ich ziehe mich an (I am getting dressed). Here, 'mich' is the direct object. However, if you specify the item of clothing, the item becomes the direct object (accusative), and the person becomes the indirect object (dative): Ich ziehe mir (dative) einen Mantel (accusative) an.
- Reflexive (General)
- Subjekt + Verb + Reflexivpronomen (Akk.) + 'an'.
- Transitive (Specific)
- Subjekt + Verb + Reflexivpronomen (Dat.) + Objekt (Akk.) + 'an'.
In the past tense, anziehen is a strong verb. The stem changes from -ie- to -o-. The Präteritum is zog an and the Perfekt uses the auxiliary haben with the participle angezogen. For example: 'Er hat sich schick angezogen' (He dressed up smartly). This verb is also frequently used in the imperative: 'Zieh dich warm an!' (Dress warmly!).
Die Schraube muss fest angezogen werden.
You will hear anziehen in a variety of daily contexts. In the morning, parents tell their children to get dressed. In a clothing store, a sales assistant might ask if you want to try something on (though anprobieren is more common there, anziehen is used for the act itself). In the news, you might hear about the 'anziehende Konjunktur' (the picking up of the economy) or 'anziehende Preise' (rising prices).
Die Nachfrage nach Elektroautos zieht spürbar an.
In social settings, people discuss 'Anziehungskraft' (attraction/charisma). A person might be described as 'anziehend' (attractive/alluring). In technical fields, mechanics use it when talking about torque and tightening bolts. Even in sports, a runner might 'das Tempo anziehen' (increase the pace/sprint).
- Daily Life
- Getting ready for work or school.
- Business/Finance
- Discussing market trends and price hikes.
- Physics/Science
- Describing magnetic or gravitational pull.
The most frequent mistake for English speakers is confusing anziehen with tragen. In English, 'to wear' and 'to put on' are distinct, but learners often use 'anziehen' to mean 'to be wearing'. Remember: anziehen is the action of putting it on; tragen is the state of having it on your body. Another common error is the reflexive pronoun case. If you say 'Ich ziehe mich die Hose an', it is grammatically incorrect because 'die Hose' is already the accusative object, so the pronoun must shift to dative: 'Ich ziehe mir die Hose an'.
Falsch: Ich ziehe heute ein blaues T-Shirt an (meaning 'I am wearing it right now').
Richtig: Ich trage heute ein blaues T-Shirt.
Finally, learners often forget the separable prefix at the end of the sentence. In long sentences, it's easy to lose track, but the 'an' is vital for the meaning. Without it, 'ziehen' just means 'to pull', which could change the sentence entirely.
German has several verbs related to clothing and 'pulling' that are often confused with anziehen. Ausziehen is the direct opposite, meaning to take off clothes. Umziehen means to change clothes. Anprobieren is specifically used when trying on clothes in a shop to see if they fit. Ankleiden is a more formal, slightly archaic version of 'sich anziehen'.
- Anprobieren
- To try on (to check size/style).
- Umziehen
- To change clothes (reflexive).
- Tragen
- To wear (the state of wearing).
In the context of attraction, synonyms include faszinieren (to fascinate) or locken (to lure/entice). In the context of tightening, festziehen or spannen are often used. Understanding these nuances helps you choose the most precise word for the situation.
How Formal Is It?
Nivel de dificultad
Gramática que debes saber
Separable verbs
Reflexive pronouns
Dative vs Accusative
Strong verbs (ie-o-o)
Ejemplos por nivel
Ich ziehe mich an.
I am getting dressed.
Reflexive 'mich' + separable prefix 'an'.
Zieh die Jacke an!
Put the jacket on!
Imperative form.
Er zieht seine Schuhe an.
He is putting on his shoes.
Transitive use with accusative object.
Wir ziehen uns für die Party an.
We are getting dressed for the party.
Plural reflexive.
Was ziehst du heute an?
What are you putting on today?
Question with separable verb.
Zieh dich warm an!
Dress warmly!
Adverb 'warm' modifying the action.
Sie zieht ein Kleid an.
She is putting on a dress.
Accusative 'ein Kleid'.
Ich muss mich noch anziehen.
I still have to get dressed.
Modal verb 'muss' keeps 'anziehen' together at the end.
Ich habe mich heute schnell angezogen.
I got dressed quickly today.
Perfekt tense with 'haben' and 'angezogen'.
Warum hast du die Stiefel nicht angezogen?
Why didn't you put on the boots?
Negative question in Perfekt.
Zieh dir bitte den Schal an.
Please put on the scarf.
Dative reflexive 'dir' because 'Schal' is the object.
Er zog seinen Mantel an und ging.
He put on his coat and left.
Präteritum (narrative past).
Sie hat sich schick angezogen.
She dressed up smartly.
Adverb 'schick' used with Perfekt.
Komm, wir müssen uns anziehen!
Come on, we have to get dressed!
Infinitive with modal.
Ich ziehe mir die Socken an.
I am putting on my socks.
Dative reflexive 'mir'.
Zieh dich bitte ordentlich an.
Please dress properly.
Imperative with adverb.
Das helle Licht zieht Insekten an.
The bright light attracts insects.
Abstract meaning: to attract.
Ich ziehe mir lieber etwas Bequemes an.
I'd rather put on something comfortable.
Substantivized adjective 'Bequemes'.
Die Stadt zieht jedes Jahr Millionen Touristen an.
The city attracts millions of tourists every year.
Usage in a social/geographic context.
Du solltest die Schrauben fester anziehen.
You should tighten the screws more firmly.
Mechanical meaning: to tighten.
Magneten ziehen Eisen an.
Magnets attract iron.
Scientific context.
Sie zieht die Aufmerksamkeit aller auf sich.
She draws everyone's attention to herself.
Idiomatic: to draw attention.
Zieh dich nicht so dünn an, es ist windig.
Don't dress so lightly, it's windy.
Adverbial usage 'dünn'.
Ich habe mir die neuen Schuhe angezogen, aber sie drücken.
I put on the new shoes, but they are pinching.
Contrastive sentence.
Die Preise für Benzin sind stark angezogen.
Gasoline prices have risen sharply.
Economic meaning: to rise/increase.
Der Läufer hat das Tempo auf den letzten Metern angezogen.
The runner picked up the pace in the final meters.
Idiomatic: to increase speed.
Diese Werbung soll junge Kunden anziehen.
This advertisement is intended to attract young customers.
Marketing context.
Er findet ihre Art sehr anziehend.
He finds her manner very attractive.
Adjective 'anziehend' derived from the verb.
Die Handbremse muss man beim Parken fest anziehen.
You have to pull the handbrake firmly when parking.
Technical/Safety context.
Die Konjunktur zieht nach der Krise wieder an.
The economy is picking up again after the crisis.
Economic jargon.
Wir müssen die Zügel etwas anziehen.
We need to tighten the reins a bit.
Metaphorical: to increase control.
Sie hat sich ein elegantes Kostüm angezogen.
She put on an elegant suit.
Reflexive dative + specific object.
Die Attraktivität des Standorts zieht hochqualifizierte Fachkräfte an.
The attractiveness of the location attracts highly qualified specialists.
Formal academic/business style.
Man muss die Mutter mit einem Drehmomentschlüssel anziehen.
The nut must be tightened with a torque wrench.
Technical precision.
Die globale Nachfrage nach Rohstoffen zieht weiter an.
Global demand for raw materials continues to rise.
Macroeconomic context.
Sein Charisma übt eine unglaubliche Anziehungskraft aus.
His charisma exerts an incredible pull.
Related noun 'Anziehungskraft'.
Nach dem Skandal zog das Unternehmen die Compliance-Regeln an.
After the scandal, the company tightened the compliance rules.
Figurative: to make rules stricter.
Die Schwerkraft zieht alle Körper zum Mittelpunkt der Erde an.
Gravity attracts all bodies to the center of the earth.
Scientific law.
Er zog die Saiten der Gitarre vorsichtig an.
He carefully tightened the strings of the guitar.
Specific manual action.
Die Stimmung im Team hat merklich angezogen.
The mood in the team has noticeably improved/intensified.
Abstract improvement/intensity.
Die dichte Atmosphäre des Romans zieht den Leser sofort in ihren Bann.
The dense atmosphere of the novel immediately captivates the reader.
Literary usage.
In der Krise wurden die fiskalpolitischen Daumenschrauben angezogen.
In the crisis, the fiscal policy thumbscrews were tightened.
Idiomatic/Historical metaphor.
Die molekularen Kräfte ziehen die Teilchen zueinander an.
Molecular forces attract the particles to each other.
Advanced physics.
Die ästhetische Gestaltung des Produkts soll eine exklusive Klientel anziehen.
The aesthetic design of the product is intended to attract an exclusive clientele.
Sophisticated marketing terminology.
Es gilt, die Zügel der Disziplin wieder fester anzuziehen.
It is necessary to tighten the reins of discipline again.
Formal rhetorical style.
Die Zinsen ziehen am Kapitalmarkt allmählich wieder an.
Interest rates are gradually rising again on the capital market.
High-level finance.
Ihre Worte zogen eine Spur der Verwüstung durch sein Herz.
Her words drew a trail of devastation through his heart.
Poetic/Metaphorical extension.
Die gravitationale Wechselwirkung zieht Galaxien über Jahrmillionen an.
Gravitational interaction attracts galaxies over millions of years.
Astrophysical context.
Colocaciones comunes
Frases Comunes
Se confunde a menudo con
Modismos y expresiones
— To take responsibility for a criticism or fault.
— To tighten control or discipline.
— To put pressure on someone.
— To work or move faster.
— Opposites attract.
Fácil de confundir
Patrones de oraciones
Cómo usarlo
Use for clothes and shoes.
Use 'aufsetzen' for hats/glasses, 'umlegen' for jewelry/scarves (though anziehen is okay for scarves).
Consejos
Prefix Position
In a normal sentence, 'an' goes to the very end. Don't forget it!
Clothing vs. State
Use 'anziehen' for the 5 seconds it takes to put on a shirt.
Economy
If you see 'anziehen' in a financial newspaper, it means 'going up'.
Attraction
Use 'anziehend' to describe someone's personality or looks.
Driving
Always 'die Handbremse anziehen' when parking on a hill.
Tools
When building furniture, 'zieh die Schrauben fest an'.
Responsibility
'Sich den Schuh anziehen' means accepting blame.
Opposites
Learn 'anziehen' and 'ausziehen' together as a pair.
Imperative
Use 'Zieh dich an!' to tell someone to get ready.
Dative
Remember: Ich ziehe MIR (Dat) etwas (Akk) an.
Memorízalo
Origen de la palabra
Contexto cultural
Germans often say 'There is no bad weather, only bad clothing.'
Dressing up ('sich schick anziehen') is expected for theater, opera, and formal dinners.
Practica en la vida real
Contextos reales
Inicios de conversación
"Was ziehst du zur Hochzeit an?"
"Glaubst du, dass sich Gegensätze wirklich anziehen?"
"Warum ziehen die Preise für Mieten so stark an?"
"Wie lange brauchst du morgens, um dich anzuziehen?"
"Welche Farben ziehen dich bei Kleidung am meisten an?"
Temas para diario
Beschreibe, was du heute angezogen hast.
Welche Orte in deiner Stadt ziehen die meisten Touristen an?
Wann musstest du in deinem Leben 'die Zügel anziehen'?
Was findest du an einem Menschen besonders anziehend?
Schreibe über eine Situation, in der die Preise plötzlich angezogen sind.
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo, it can be transitive (Ich ziehe eine Jacke an) or intransitive in economic contexts (Die Preise ziehen an).
Anziehen is the action of putting it on. Tragen is the state of wearing it.
It's better to use 'aufsetzen' for things you put ON TOP of your head, but 'anziehen' is sometimes heard colloquially.
Ich ziehe mich an.
No, it is 'Ich ziehe MIR die Jacke an' (Dative reflexive).
It means the prices are rising or increasing.
angezogen.
It is a strong verb (ziehen - zog - gezogen).
Yes, like tightening a screw or a brake.
It means attractive or appealing.
Ponte a prueba 180 preguntas
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Mastering 'anziehen' is essential for daily life (dressing) and professional contexts (market trends). Always remember it is separable and requires dative reflexive pronouns when specifying the garment.
- Primary meaning: To put on clothes (separable: zieht... an).
- Secondary meaning: To attract (like a magnet or a tourist site).
- Technical meaning: To tighten (screws, bolts, or brakes).
- Economic meaning: To rise or increase (prices, demand).
Prefix Position
In a normal sentence, 'an' goes to the very end. Don't forget it!
Clothing vs. State
Use 'anziehen' for the 5 seconds it takes to put on a shirt.
Economy
If you see 'anziehen' in a financial newspaper, it means 'going up'.
Attraction
Use 'anziehend' to describe someone's personality or looks.
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Abfall
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abholen
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abmelden
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abwaschen
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A1La dirección es la información de dónde vive alguien.
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anhaben
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anmelden
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