Learn Hardcore German: Das Wasser fühlt sich kalt an.

The verb anfühlen is a separable reflexive verb in German meaning to feel by touch. When the subject experiences the sensation itself, you use the reflexive pronoun sich (third person). Without sich, fühlen would be a transitive verb (to feel something), not reflexive (to feel).

Why is an at the end of the sentence instead of next to fühlt?

Because anfühlen is a separable verb. In main clauses, the prefix an detaches and moves to the end, while the base fühlt stays in second position.

Could I say Das Wasser fühlt kalt instead?

No. You need the full reflexive separable construction sich anfühlen. The correct pattern is fühlt sich … an, followed by an adjective (such as kalt) or a noun.

What is the difference between Das Wasser fühlt sich kalt an and Das Wasser ist kalt?

Das Wasser ist kalt states a simple fact about the water’s temperature (objective). Das Wasser fühlt sich kalt an highlights the subjective sensory impression—how it feels to someone touching it.

Why doesn’t kalt take an ending here?

Here kalt is used predicatively (it describes the subject through a linking or reflexive verb). Predicative adjectives never take endings in German.

What case and gender is das Wasser and why include the article?

Das Wasser is neuter and in the nominative case as the sentence’s subject. Although Wasser is a mass noun, German often uses the definite article when referring to water generally or a specific quantity.

Can I drop the article and say Wasser fühlt sich kalt an?

In everyday German it sounds more natural with the article: Das Wasser fühlt sich kalt an. Omitting the article might occur in headlines or poetic language, but it is unusual in normal speech.

How do you pronounce Das Wasser fühlt sich kalt an?

Pronounce it approximately as das ˈva.sɐ ˈfyːlt zɪç kalt an. The ch in sich is a voiceless palatal fricative, similar to the h‑sound in the English word hue, but softer.