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How to Say ‘When do they start?’ in German

Wann fangen die an?

vahn FANG-en dee an

[vahn FANG-en dee an]

💬 Usage Tip: anfangen "to start" splits in a question, and an goes to the end. die here is a casual "they" for people already mentioned, which is common in speech.

Phrase Breakdown

Wann fangen

vahn FANG-en

When do ... start

'Anfangen' is a separable verb meaning 'to start'. 'Wann' sounds like 'vahn'.

Example

Wann fangen wir an?

When do we start?

Words in this phrase

Wann

[vahn]

when

Question word asking about time.

Example

Wann haben Sie Zeit?

When do you have time?

fangen

[FANG-en]

start (with 'an')

From 'anfangen' (to begin); 'an' moves to the end.

Example

Wir fangen jetzt an.

We're starting now.

die an?

dee an

they (start)?

'Die' is used casually here for 'they'. 'An' is the separable prefix and goes at the end.

Example

Fangen die an?

Are they starting?

Words in this phrase

die

[dee]

they

Used as a demonstrative pronoun meaning 'they/those people', common in spoken German.

Example

Die sind echt nett.

They are really nice.

[an]

(separable prefix)

Prefix of 'anhalten', placed at the end.

Example

Der Bus hält gleich an.

The bus is about to stop.

Guides for German learners

Duolingo vs Pimsleur: Tapping on a Screen or Talking Out Loud?Duolingo vs Pimsleur: five minutes of tapping versus thirty minutes of speaking. What each is good at, what each costs, and which to pick for your goal.

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