Signification
To begin a task or process again from the very beginning.
Contexte culturel
The concept of 'Stunde Null' (Hour Zero) is a major historical reference point. It refers to May 8, 1945, when Germany had to rebuild its entire society from scratch. This makes the idea of 'starting over' a very powerful and respected concept in German culture. In Swiss German, you might hear 'vo vore afange'. The cultural emphasis on precision means that starting over is often preferred over delivering a sub-par product. Austrians might use the phrase with a bit more 'Gemütlichkeit' (coziness/relaxed attitude), often followed by a coffee break before actually starting over. In international German-speaking offices, 'von vorne anfangen' is often used during 'Agile' sprints when a feature needs to be completely redesigned.
Use 'ganz'
Add 'ganz' (ganz von vorne anfangen) to sound more native when you are frustrated or want to emphasize how much work you have to redo.
Separable Verb
Don't forget to put the 'an' at the very end of the sentence! 'Ich fange heute mit dem Buch von vorne an.'
Signification
To begin a task or process again from the very beginning.
Use 'ganz'
Add 'ganz' (ganz von vorne anfangen) to sound more native when you are frustrated or want to emphasize how much work you have to redo.
Separable Verb
Don't forget to put the 'an' at the very end of the sentence! 'Ich fange heute mit dem Buch von vorne an.'
Honesty
In German work culture, admitting you need to start over is often seen as a sign of quality control rather than failure.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of 'anfangen' and the prepositional phrase.
Ich habe einen Fehler gemacht. Ich _______ von _______ _______.
In a main clause, the separable verb 'anfangen' splits, and 'fange' goes to the second position while 'an' goes to the end.
Which sentence is correct?
The project failed, we must start over.
'Von vorne anfangen' is the standard idiom. 'Von Anfang' is incorrect here.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Mein Text ist weg! Der Computer ist abgestürzt. B: Oh nein! Dann musst du wohl ________.
Since the text is gone, the only option is to start from the beginning.
Match the situation to the phrase.
You moved to a new country and have no friends yet.
Starting a new life in a new place is a classic 'von vorne anfangen' scenario.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesIch habe einen Fehler gemacht. Ich _______ von _______ _______.
In a main clause, the separable verb 'anfangen' splits, and 'fange' goes to the second position while 'an' goes to the end.
The project failed, we must start over.
'Von vorne anfangen' is the standard idiom. 'Von Anfang' is incorrect here.
A: Mein Text ist weg! Der Computer ist abgestürzt. B: Oh nein! Dann musst du wohl ________.
Since the text is gone, the only option is to start from the beginning.
You moved to a new country and have no friends yet.
Starting a new life in a new place is a classic 'von vorne anfangen' scenario.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsYou can say 'von vorne starten', but it sounds more like a technical process (like restarting a computer). 'Anfangen' is much more idiomatic for human actions.
Yes, 'von vorn' is very common in spoken German. 'Von vorne' is slightly more formal/standard.
The preposition 'mit' always takes the dative case. 'Ich fange mit {der|f} Arbeit (dative) von vorne an.'
Yes, if you want to 'start over' with someone after a fight, it's a very natural way to say it.
It is always 'von vorne'. 'Vom' is a contraction of 'von dem', which is not used here.
'Von vorne anfangen' is the best translation, or 'wieder bei Null anfangen'.
No, it's neutral. However, telling someone else 'Fang von vorne an!' can sound harsh if not said kindly.
Yes: 'Ich fing von vorne an' (Präteritum) or 'Ich habe von vorne angefangen' (Perfekt).
'Neu beginnen' is more formal. 'Von vorne anfangen' is more common in daily life.
Usually, yes. It implies that the first attempt didn't work out.
Yes, if you forgot the plot and want to start from page one.
Very often, especially when a strategy changes.
'Weitermachen' (to continue) or 'beenden' (to finish).
'Alles auf Null' is a cool, modern way to say it.
Expressions liées
bei Null anfangen
synonymTo start from zero
nochmal von vorn
similarAgain from the start
einen Neuanfang machen
builds onTo make a new start
alles auf Anfang
similarEverything back to the start
weitermachen
contrastTo continue
