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How to Say ‘Is about to start’ in German

Fängt gleich an

fengt glykh an

[fengt glykh an]

💬 Usage Tip: The verb anfangen "to start" splits in two, with the an moving to the very end. The same thing happens with Der Film fängt um acht an "The film starts at eight."

Phrase Breakdown

Fängt

[fengt]

starts (with 'an')

Form of the separable verb 'anfangen' (to begin); 'an' goes to the end.

Example

Der Film fängt um acht an.

The film starts at eight.

gleich

[glykh]

in a moment

"gleich" means soon or right away.

Example

Ich gebe dir gleich Bescheid, ich warte nur noch auf den Rückruf.

I’ll let you know in a moment, I’m just still waiting for the callback.

[an]

(separable prefix of 'anfangen')

Prefix of 'anfangen', placed at the end of the clause.

Example

Die Schule fängt morgen an.

School starts tomorrow.

Guides for German learners

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