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angreifen

A2 verb #2,000 most common 10 min read

angreifen

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips angreifen in 30 Seconds

Explanation angreifen in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'angreifen' is a word you might encounter in very specific contexts like simple games or sports. It is important to know that it is a separable verb, meaning the 'an' part goes to the end of the sentence. For example, 'Ich greife an' (I attack). You don't need to know all the metaphorical meanings yet. Just focus on the idea of 'going forward' in a game or a simple physical action. It's a strong verb, but at A1, you mostly use the present tense. You might hear it during a football match on TV. The most important thing to remember is the word order: 'Der Spieler greift jetzt an.' It's also useful to know that it takes an object in the accusative case, though at A1, you'll often use it without an object to simply mean 'to be on the offensive.' Think of it as the opposite of 'verteidigen' (to defend), which is another word you'll learn early on in sports contexts. Even if you don't use it yourself often, recognizing it will help you understand sports news or simple stories about animals (like a dog attacking a ball).

At the A2 level, you expand your use of 'angreifen' to include more everyday situations. You should be comfortable using it in the present tense and the perfect tense ('hat angegriffen'). You'll use it to describe sports actions in more detail: 'Unsere Mannschaft hat gestern gut angegriffen.' You also start to see it in the context of health and feelings, such as 'Das Wetter greift meine Gesundheit an' (The weather is affecting my health). This is the level where you must be careful with the separable prefix in different sentence structures. You should also learn the basic past tense form 'griff an' for reading simple stories. A2 learners should also understand that 'angreifen' can mean 'to touch' in a way that describes a texture, like 'Der Stoff greift sich gut an' (The fabric feels good). This is a bit more advanced, but seeing it in a clothing store context is possible. The key takeaway for A2 is the transition from just 'sports' to 'physical impact' on things like health or materials. You should also be able to use it to describe a dog or an animal attacking something, which is a common topic in A2 level reading materials and exams.

By B1, you are expected to use 'angreifen' metaphorically. This means using it for tasks and problems. Instead of just 'starting' a project, you 'attack' it: 'Wir müssen dieses Projekt endlich angreifen.' This shows a higher level of initiative and energy in your German. You will also encounter it in political or social discussions where people 'attack' each other's opinions or plans: 'Der Politiker griff die neue Steuerreform an.' You should be very comfortable with all its forms, including the Präteritum 'griff an' and the Konjunktiv II 'würde angreifen.' You'll also see it in more technical or scientific contexts, such as rust attacking metal or acid attacking a surface. This level requires you to distinguish 'angreifen' from similar verbs like 'anfassen' (to touch) or 'bearbeiten' (to process/work on). You should understand the nuance that 'angreifen' often implies a negative or aggressive impact, except when it means 'to tackle a task.' In B1, you also learn more complex sentence structures, so you should be able to use 'angreifen' in relative clauses and with various modal verbs: 'Das ist das Problem, das wir angreifen müssen.'

At the B2 level, 'angreifen' becomes a tool for nuanced argumentation and description. You will use it to describe subtle influences, such as how a certain lifestyle 'attacks' one's nerves or how a specific chemical 'attacks' a compound. You'll also use it in more formal registers, such as business German, to describe 'attacking' a market or a competitor's strategy. Your understanding of the word should include idiomatic expressions like 'die Reserven angreifen' (to dip into reserves). You should be able to use the passive voice correctly: 'Er fühlte sich von der Kritik angegriffen' (He felt attacked by the criticism). At this level, you should also be aware of the noun form 'der Angriff' (the attack) and how it relates to the verb. You can use 'angreifen' to describe complex social dynamics, such as a group 'attacking' a social norm. The distinction between 'angreifen' and more formal synonyms like 'attackieren' or 'anfechten' (to contest/challenge) becomes important. You should be able to choose the right verb based on the level of formality and the specific type of 'attack' you are describing, whether it's physical, verbal, or systemic.

For C1 learners, 'angreifen' is used with high precision in academic, literary, and professional contexts. You will explore its use in describing corrosive processes in detail, perhaps in a technical report or a scientific discussion. In literature, you'll see it used to describe the 'attack' of time on beauty or the 'attack' of doubt on a person's resolve. You should be able to use it in complex grammatical constructions, such as extended participial attributes: 'die vom Rost angegriffenen Bauteile' (the components attacked by rust). Your vocabulary should also include related terms like 'angriffslustig' (aggressive/ready to attack). You'll understand the subtle difference between 'angreifen' and 'monieren' or 'kritisieren' in a professional critique. The word's use in finance—'das Kapital angreifen'—is also important at this level. You should be able to discuss the ethics of 'attacking' someone's character in a debate versus attacking their arguments. C1 proficiency means you can use the verb to convey exactly the right amount of force and intent, whether you are writing a formal complaint, a literary analysis, or a strategic business plan.

At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of 'angreifen' and all its subtle connotations. You can use it in highly abstract ways, such as describing how a particular philosophical argument 'attacks' the foundations of a theory. You are familiar with its use in historical texts and classical literature, where it might appear in archaic or highly stylized forms. You can effortlessly switch between its many meanings—from the chemical to the psychological to the tactical—without hesitation. You understand the historical development of the word from its roots in 'grabbing' to its modern diverse applications. You can use it in sophisticated wordplay or metaphors in creative writing. Your use of the verb is perfectly idiomatic, including rare uses like the reflexive 'sich angreifen' to describe the tactile quality of a surface in a high-end fashion or manufacturing context. You can also analyze the rhetorical effect of using 'angreifen' instead of a more neutral verb in a political speech or a legal argument. At this level, the word is not just a vocabulary item but a versatile tool for precise, evocative, and powerful communication in any possible German-speaking environment.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

angreifen in 30 Seconds

Angreifen is a separable verb meaning 'to attack' in sports, physical combat, or verbal criticism. It is also used for chemical corrosion and tackling tasks.
Grammatically, it is a strong verb (angreifen, griff an, angegriffen) and takes an accusative object. The prefix 'an-' moves to the end in present/past tense.
In everyday German, it's frequently heard in sports commentary, news reports about politics, and technical discussions about materials or health (like viruses).
Avoid confusing it with 'begreifen' (to understand) or 'anfassen' (to touch). 'Angreifen' implies a more active, often aggressive or impactful action.

The German verb angreifen is a multifaceted powerhouse in the German language. At its core, it combines the prefix an- (indicating direction or start) with the root verb greifen (to grab or seize). In a basic CEFR A2 context, you will most frequently encounter it in the world of sports and games. When a football team moves the ball toward the opponent's goal, they are 'attacking'—they are angreifen. However, the word's reach extends far beyond the pitch. It describes the act of physically touching something (often with a nuance of potentially damaging it), the chemical process of corrosion, and the metaphorical act of tackling a difficult problem or even criticizing someone personally.

Physical Action: To touch or seize something, often used in contexts where the surface might be sensitive. 'Greifen Sie die Oberfläche nicht an!' (Don't touch/corrode the surface!)

Im nächsten Spielzug müssen wir mutiger angreifen, um ein Tor zu erzielen.

In a broader sense, angreifen implies an initiative. Whether it is a soldier in a historical text, a chess player moving their queen, or a manager deciding to 'attack' a new market, the word signifies a transition from a passive state to an active, often aggressive, pursuit of a goal. This 'offensive' quality is what defines the word across its various registers. Even in health, a virus can angreifen the immune system, representing an unwanted but active invasion of the body's defenses.

Metaphorical Use: To criticize or challenge someone's ideas. 'Er fühlte sich durch ihre Worte persönlich angegriffen.' (He felt personally attacked by her words.)

Die Säure greift das Metall an.

When discussing materials, angreifen is the go-to verb for corrosion. If you leave a bike out in the rain, the rust 'attacks' the frame. This usage is common in technical manuals and chemistry. It suggests a slow, persistent wearing away. Similarly, in a psychological context, stress can 'attack' one's nerves (die Nerven angreifen), leading to exhaustion. This versatility makes it one of the most useful verbs for describing any force—physical, biological, or emotional—that acts upon something else with the intent or result of changing or damaging it.

Abstract Tasks: To start working on something difficult. 'Wir müssen das Problem jetzt endlich angreifen.' (We finally have to tackle the problem.)

Der Boxer griff seinen Gegner in der dritten Runde entschlossen an.

Diese harten Worte greifen seine Ehre an.

Wir werden morgen das neue Projekt angreifen.

Mastering angreifen requires understanding its grammatical behavior as a separable verb and its requirement for the accusative case. Because it is a strong verb, its stem changes in the past tense: greifen becomes griff (Präteritum) and gegriffen (Partizip II). When you use it in a sentence, the prefix an- will often detach and fly to the very end. For example, 'The team attacks' is 'Die Mannschaft greift an.' If you add an object, like 'The team attacks the goal,' it remains 'Die Mannschaft greift das Tor an.'

Grammar: Separable Prefix: In main clauses (present/past), 'an' goes to the end. In subordinate clauses, it stays attached. 'Ich weiß, dass er angreift.'

Warum greifst du mich ständig an?

In terms of context, you must distinguish between physical and metaphorical 'attacking'. If you are at A2 level, focus on the physical and sports-related uses. 'Der Hund hat den Briefträger angegriffen' (The dog attacked the mailman) is a classic example of the physical sense. Here, the verb takes a direct object in the accusative case (den Briefträger). As you progress to B1 and B2, you will start using it for tasks: 'Lass uns die Hausaufgaben angreifen' (Let's tackle the homework). This implies a sense of energy and determination.

Conjugation Table (Present): ich greife an, du greifst an, er/sie/es greift an, wir greifen an, ihr greift an, sie greifen an.

Gestern griff die Armee die Stadt an.

Another nuance is the use of angreifen with 'sich' (reflexive) is rare and usually means something different, so stick to the transitive use (attacking someone/something). When using it for 'touching', it often implies a texture or a physical reaction. For instance, 'Der Stoff greift sich weich an' (The fabric feels soft to the touch). This is a more advanced construction where the subject is the object being felt. However, for most learners, the focus should remain on the 'active' attack.

Common Collocations: ein Ziel angreifen, jemanden verbal angreifen, die Vorräte angreifen (to start using up supplies).

Wir müssen unsere Ersparnisse angreifen, um das Auto zu reparieren.

Das Virus greift die Lunge an.

Hast du das Projekt schon angegriffen?

The context in which you hear angreifen dictates its meaning. In a German living room on a Saturday afternoon, you'll hear it during the 'Bundesliga' broadcast. Commentators shout it when a winger sprints down the flank. In a news report, it might describe a political debate where one candidate 'attacks' the other's platform. In a laboratory or a garage, it refers to chemical reactions. The word is ubiquitous because it bridges the gap between physical action and abstract influence.

Sports Commentary: 'Bayern München greift jetzt über die linke Seite an!' (Bayern Munich is now attacking via the left side!)

Die Opposition greift die Pläne der Regierung scharf an.

In professional settings, you might hear it during a strategy meeting. 'Wir müssen den Markt in Asien angreifen' (We need to tackle/attack the Asian market). Here, it doesn't mean physical violence, but rather a concerted effort to gain market share. Similarly, if you are discussing finances with a partner, you might say, 'Wir müssen das Ersparte angreifen' (We have to dip into our savings). This is a very common idiomatic use where 'attacking' the savings means starting to spend money that was previously set aside.

Medical/Scientific: 'Rauchen greift die Gesundheit an.' (Smoking attacks/harms your health.)

Der Rost hat das Fahrgestell bereits angegriffen.

In daily life, you might even hear it regarding food or household items. If a loaf of bread has been started, someone might ask, 'Ist das Brot schon angegriffen?' (Has the bread been started/cut into?). This is a more regional or slightly older usage, but it follows the logic of 'starting to use' something. Ultimately, angreifen is a word of movement and impact. Whether it's a physical strike, a verbal critique, or the slow work of rust, it always implies that something is being actively changed or challenged.

Daily Idiom: 'Die letzte Reserve angreifen' (To use the last of one's reserves/energy).

Das schlechte Wetter greift meine Laune an.

Er wurde gestern auf der Straße angegriffen.

Wir greifen morgen früh an!

One of the most frequent errors for learners is forgetting that angreifen is a separable verb. It's easy to say 'Ich angreife' instead of 'Ich greife an.' Another common pitfall is confusing it with other greifen derivatives. For example, begreifen means 'to understand' or 'to grasp a concept,' while ergreifen means 'to seize' (like an opportunity or a physical object). If you tell someone you 'begreifen' them in a sports context, they will think you are trying to understand their soul rather than tackle them!

Confusion with 'begreifen': 'Ich begreife das Problem' (I understand the problem) vs. 'Ich greife das Problem an' (I am tackling/starting to solve the problem).

Falsch: Ich angreife den Ball. Richtig: Ich greife den Ball an.

Another mistake involves the passive voice. In German, 'to be attacked' is 'angegriffen werden.' Learners often forget the ge- in the participle or place it incorrectly. Remember: an-ge-griffen. Also, be careful with the word 'attackieren.' While attackieren exists in German, it is often more formal or specifically military. Angreifen is much more common in everyday speech and sports. Using attackieren during a casual football game might sound a bit too dramatic or academic.

Confusion with 'anfassen': 'Anfassen' is just to touch. 'Angreifen' (in the sense of touching) often implies a more vigorous or damaging touch, or is used to describe how something feels.

Die Säure greift die Haut an (nicht: fasst die Haut an).

Finally, learners sometimes struggle with the metaphorical use regarding health. You 'attack' your health (die Gesundheit angreifen), but you don't 'attack' a cold. You 'have' a cold. The 'attacker' is usually the external force (the virus, the stress, the weather). If you say 'Ich greife meine Erkältung an,' it sounds like you are physically fighting a personified virus with your fists. Instead, use 'bekämpfen' (to fight/combat) for diseases if you are the one taking action.

Preposition Pitfall: Don't use 'auf' with angreifen. It's not 'angreifen auf jemanden'. Just 'jemanden angreifen'.

Der Hund griff das Kind an (Accusative object).

Sie hat mich verbal angegriffen.

Wir greifen das Problem gemeinsam an.

German has several words for 'attacking' or 'touching,' and choosing the right one depends on the intensity and context. Attackieren is the most direct synonym, but it often carries a more formal or aggressive military tone. In sports, angreifen is the standard, while attackieren might be used by a journalist describing a particularly fierce tackle. Then there is bestürmen, which means to 'storm' or 'assail,' often used for a goal in soccer or for someone with many questions.

Angreifen vs. Attackieren: 'Angreifen' is general (sports, chemistry, verbal). 'Attackieren' is more specific to a targeted, often violent or highly focused strike.

Die Fans bestürmten den Star mit Fragen (not 'griffen an').

For the sense of 'touching,' anfassen and berühren are the primary alternatives. Berühren is a light, often accidental or emotional touch ('Die Musik hat mich berührt'). Anfassen is a deliberate touch with the hand. Angreifen in this context is specific to how something feels to the touch (reflexive-like) or the chemical 'attacking' of a surface. You wouldn't say 'Darf ich dein Baby angreifen?' (Can I attack/corrode your baby?); you would say 'Darf ich dein Baby anfassen?'

Angreifen vs. Anpacken: 'Wir greifen das Projekt an' (We start/tackle it). 'Wir packen das Projekt an' (We work on it vigorously/practically).

Er berührte vorsichtig die Leinwand.

In a military or historical context, you might see überfallen. This means to 'ambush' or 'raid.' While angreifen is the act of attacking, überfallen implies surprise. If a country attacks another, it's angreifen. If it does so suddenly and without warning, it's überfallen. Understanding these distinctions helps you move from basic communication to nuanced expression, allowing you to describe the 'how' and 'why' of an action rather than just the 'what'.

Angreifen vs. Überfallen: 'Angreifen' is the general offensive. 'Überfallen' is a surprise attack or a robbery.

Die Räuber überfielen die Bank am Mittag.

Der Wein greift den Zahnschmelz an.

Lass uns das Problem von einer anderen Seite angreifen.

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Separable Verbs (Trennbare Verben)

Strong Verbs (Starke Verben)

Accusative Case (Akkusativ)

Passive Voice (Passiv)

Infinitive with 'zu'

Examples by Level

Ich greife an.

I attack.

Separable verb: 'an' at the end.

Der Hund greift den Ball an.

The dog attacks the ball.

Accusative object: 'den Ball'.

Greifst du jetzt an?

Are you attacking now?

Question form with separable verb.

Wir greifen zusammen an.

We attack together.

Present tense, plural.

Er greift nicht an.

He does not attack.

Negation with 'nicht'.

Die Katze greift die Maus an.

The cat attacks the mouse.

Simple subject-verb-object.

Mein Team greift an.

My team attacks.

Possessive pronoun 'Mein'.

Warum greift er an?

Why is he attacking?

Interrogative 'Warum'.

Die Mannschaft hat gestern gut angegriffen.

The team attacked well yesterday.

Perfect tense: 'hat angegriffen'.

Der Hund hat den Briefträger angegriffen.

The dog attacked the mailman.

Perfect tense with accusative object.

Das Wetter greift meine Gesundheit an.

The weather is affecting my health.

Metaphorical use for health.

Dieser Stoff greift sich sehr weich an.

This fabric feels very soft.

Reflexive-like use for texture.

Du darfst die heiße Platte nicht angreifen.

You must not touch the hot plate.

Modal verb 'dürfen' with 'angreifen'.

Die Löwen greifen das Zebra an.

The lions attack the zebra.

Plural subject.

Er griff seinen Gegner im Spiel an.

He attacked his opponent in the game.

Präteritum (simple past): 'griff an'.

Wir müssen das Problem jetzt angreifen.

We have to tackle the problem now.

Modal verb 'müssen' + infinitive.

Die Säure greift das Metall langsam an.

The acid is slowly attacking the metal.

Chemical context.

Er fühlte sich durch die Kritik persönlich angegriffen.

He felt personally attacked by the criticism.

Passive-like state with 'fühlen'.

Wir sollten unsere Ersparnisse noch nicht angreifen.

We shouldn't dip into our savings yet.

Idiomatic use for money.

Die Opposition greift die Pläne der Regierung an.

The opposition is attacking the government's plans.

Political context.

Rauchen greift die Lunge stark an.

Smoking severely attacks the lungs.

Medical context.

Wenn wir nicht angreifen, verlieren wir das Spiel.

If we don't attack, we'll lose the game.

Conditional clause with 'wenn'.

Sie griff das Thema in der Sitzung mutig an.

She bravely tackled the topic in the meeting.

Präteritum of 'angreifen'.

Das Virus greift das Immunsystem an.

The virus attacks the immune system.

Scientific context.

Der Stress greift auf Dauer die Nerven an.

Stress attacks the nerves in the long run.

Psychological context.

Die Armee griff die Stadt von zwei Seiten an.

The army attacked the city from two sides.

Military context.

Er hat seine letzten Reserven angegriffen, um das Ziel zu erreichen.

He used his last reserves to reach the goal.

Idiomatic use of 'Reserven'.

Die neue Software greift direkt in die Datenbank an.

The new software directly affects the database.

Technical/IT context.

Es ist unfair, jemanden wegen seiner Herkunft anzugreifen.

It is unfair to attack someone because of their origin.

Infinitive with 'zu' (anzugreifen).

Die Korrosion hat das Fundament bereits angegriffen.

Corrosion has already attacked the foundation.

Engineering context.

Wir müssen den Markt in Osteuropa offensiv angreifen.

We need to aggressively tackle the market in Eastern Europe.

Business context.

Seine Ehre wurde durch diese Lüge angegriffen.

His honor was attacked by this lie.

Passive voice: 'wurde angegriffen'.

Die scharfen Reinigungsmittel greifen die Oberfläche des Tisches an.

The harsh cleaning agents attack the surface of the table.

Technical warning.

In seinem Essay greift der Autor die Grundfesten der Demokratie an.

In his essay, the author attacks the foundations of democracy.

Academic/Literary context.

Die ständigen Überstunden greifen seine Substanz an.

The constant overtime is wearing him down (attacking his substance).

Idiomatic 'Substanz angreifen'.

Man darf das Kapital der Stiftung nicht angreifen.

One must not dip into the foundation's capital.

Financial/Legal context.

Die vom Schimmel angegriffenen Wände müssen saniert werden.

The walls attacked by mold must be renovated.

Participle as adjective.

Er griff die Argumentation seines Vorredners Punkt für Punkt an.

He attacked his predecessor's argument point by point.

Rhetorical context.

Diese Politik greift die soziale Gerechtigkeit im Kern an.

This policy attacks social justice at its core.

Abstract social context.

Das Salzwasser greift die Karosserie des Autos an.

The salt water attacks the car's bodywork.

Environmental context.

Die Polemik griff die Integrität des Richters in unzulässiger Weise an.

The polemic attacked the judge's integrity in an impermissible manner.

Legal/Formal register.

Es gilt, die strukturellen Probleme der Branche frontal anzugreifen.

It is necessary to tackle the industry's structural problems head-on.

High-level strategic German.

Die bittere Kälte griff die Moral der Truppe empfindlich an.

The bitter cold severely affected the troops' morale.

Historical/Literary register.

In der Quantenphysik greifen herkömmliche Kausalitätsvorstellungen nicht mehr.

In quantum physics, conventional notions of causality no longer apply/hold (attack the limits).

Highly abstract scientific use.

Die Zeit greift auch die prächtigsten Monumente an.

Time attacks even the most magnificent monuments.

Poetic/Philosophical context.

Durch die Inflation wird der Reallohn der Arbeiter massiv angegriffen.

Inflation is massively attacking the workers' real wages.

Economic analysis.

Er wusste seine Position gegen alle Angriffe zu verteidigen, ohne selbst anzugreifen.

He knew how to defend his position against all attacks without attacking himself.

Complex infinitive construction.

Die Radikalität seines Denkens greift die Bequemlichkeit der Masse an.

The radical nature of his thinking attacks the comfort of the masses.

Sociological/Philosophical context.

Common Collocations

ein Ziel angreifen

jemanden verbal angreifen

die Reserven angreifen

das Immunsystem angreifen

den Gegner angreifen

ein Problem angreifen

die Gesundheit angreifen

den Markt angreifen

die Ehre angreifen

das Ersparte angreifen

Common Phrases

voll angreifen

frontal angreifen

jemanden scharf angreifen

das Projekt angreifen

die Vorräte angreifen

sich weich angreifen

die Nerven angreifen

eine Figur angreifen

die Freiheit angreifen

die Substanz angreifen

Often Confused With

angreifen vs begreifen

To understand (mental) vs. to attack (action).

angreifen vs anfassen

To touch (neutral) vs. to attack/affect (impactful).

angreifen vs ergreifen

To seize an opportunity vs. to attack an opponent.

Idioms & Expressions

"die Reserven angreifen (to use up the last of one's energy/money)"

"die Substanz angreifen (to wear someone down significantly)"

"das Ersparte angreifen (to dip into savings)"

"jemanden an der Ehre angreifen (to insult someone's honor)"

"die Nerven angreifen (to be very stressful)"

"ein Problem an der Wurzel angreifen (to tackle a problem at its root)"

"frisch angreifen (to start something with new energy)"

"massiv angreifen (to attack heavily)"

"verbal angreifen (to criticize someone)"

"die Lachmuskeln angreifen (to be very funny - rare/humorous)"

Easily Confused

angreifen vs

Sentence Patterns

How to Use It

case

Requires accusative object.

separable

Prefix 'an' separates in main clauses.

strong verb

Stem changes from 'ei' to 'i' in past forms.

Common Mistakes

Saying 'Ich angreife' instead of 'Ich greife an'.
Using 'auf' before the object (e.g., 'angreifen auf ihn').
Confusing 'angreifen' with 'begreifen' (to understand).
Forgetting the stem change in the past: 'gegreift' instead of 'angegriffen'.
Using 'angreifen' for a light, friendly touch (use 'berühren' instead).

Tips

Separable Verb Rule

In the present tense, the 'an' goes to the end: 'Ich greife das Problem an.' Don't forget it!

Sports Context

Use 'angreifen' when your team has the ball and is moving toward the goal.

Tackling Tasks

Use 'angreifen' for projects to show you are motivated and starting with energy.

Stress the Prefix

Always put the stress on 'AN-'. This is typical for separable verbs.

Accusative Case

Remember: 'Er greift DEN (masculine accusative) Gegner an.'

Feelings

If someone is mean to you, you can say: 'Ich fühle mich angegriffen.'

Corrosion

In technical German, use it for rust or chemicals: 'Rost greift das Auto an.'

Savings

Use 'das Ersparte angreifen' when you finally have to spend your saved money.

Immune System

Viruses 'angreifen' the body. It's a common way to describe getting sick.

Last Reserves

When you are exhausted but keep going, you 'greifst deine Reserven an'.

Memorize It

Word Origin

Cultural Context

Very common in football, handball, and chess.

Standard term for corrosion in German engineering.

Verbal 'angreifen' should be used carefully; it implies a strong critique.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"Wann greift deine Lieblingsmannschaft wieder an?"

"Hast du heute schon deine Hausaufgaben angegriffen?"

"Fühlst du dich manchmal von Kritik schnell angegriffen?"

"Welches globale Problem sollten wir zuerst angreifen?"

"Wie greift man am besten ein neues Sprachprojekt an?"

Journal Prompts

Beschreibe eine Situation, in der du ein schwieriges Problem angegriffen hast.

Welche Sportart findest du am spannendsten, wenn eine Mannschaft angreift?

Schreibe über etwas, das deine Gesundheit oder deine Laune angreift.

Wie reagierst du, wenn dich jemand verbal angreift?

Welche Ziele möchtest du im nächsten Monat angreifen?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Not always. In sports, it's tactical. In business, it means being proactive. However, it usually implies a strong initiative.

Yes, but usually to describe how a surface feels (reflexive) or if the touch is damaging (like acid).

'Angreifen' is more common and versatile. 'Attackieren' is more formal or military.

You say 'Ich fühle mich angegriffen'.

Yes, a virus can 'angreifen' your body.

No, it's just 'angreifen' + accusative. No preposition is needed for the object.

The Präteritum is 'griff an' and the Perfekt is 'hat angegriffen'.

Yes, it's a common way to say you are tackling a task with energy.

Yes, 'der Angriff' is the masculine noun for 'attack'.

Yes, to describe attacking a piece.