There are three different words you can use when you want to describe the start or beginning of something. When you translate them to English, the translation is the same for all of them. Often the words can be used interchangeably but there are some differences between them. This overview gives you a description of typical uses and examples of how native speakers use the words.
etw. anfangen (to commence, to begin, to start)
This word derives from the noun ‘ Der Anfänger’ (the beginner). It is usually used to describe something that is starting for the first time or an activity that has never been done before by the speaker.
- Ich habe angefangen Deutsch zu lernen. – I’ve started learning German. [This is implying that you have not learned German before].
- Ein neues Leben anfangen – Start a new life
- Du hast den Streit angefangen (colloquial) – You have started the argument
- Sie können am 1. März anfangen zu arbeiten – You can start working on 1st March. [You have not worked at the company before]
etw. beginnen (to commence, to begin, to start)
This is word is usually used when you are talking about something that begins at a specific time or specific place or in a specific way. Or it is also used when you start something again you might have done before.
- Die Show beginnt um 19 Uhr – The show starts at 19:00
- Es begann zu regnen – It started to rain
- Ich habe am Montag begonnen zu arbeiten. – I started working on Monday.
etw. starten (to commence, to begin, to start)
Starten is used for sport competitions, starting a car/machine/computer with a button or to start a project.
- Das Fußballspiel startet – The soccer game starts
- Der Wettbewerb startet – The competition starts
- Der Computer startet – The computer starts
- Die Tour startet in Berlin – The tour starts in Berlin