Questions & Answers about Der Film fängt jetzt an.
Why is the word an at the very end of the sentence?
The verb here is anfangen (to start/begin). It is a separable verb. In a normal main sentence, the prefix (an) splits off from the main part of the verb (fangen) and goes to the very end of the sentence.
Why does the verb have an ä in fängt if the base verb is anfangen?
You conjugate the base part, fangen, to match the subject. However, fangen is a strong verb with a vowel change: the a changes to an ä for 'you' (singular) and 'he/she/it'. Since Der Film is a masculine noun acting as an 'it' (3rd person singular), it becomes fängt.
Could I put jetzt at the end and say 'Der Film fängt an jetzt'?
No, the separated prefix an must be the very last word in a simple main clause. Other details, like the time word jetzt (now), are placed before the prefix, creating a bracket around the rest of the sentence.
The English translation says 'is starting'. Where is the word for 'is'?
German does not have an '-ing' form or a continuous tense like English. Der Film fängt jetzt an covers both 'The movie starts now' and 'The movie is starting now.' You do not need an extra verb for 'is'.
Learn Der Film fängt jetzt an and more in German
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free