Lea ruft mich später an.

later

Breakdown of Lea ruft mich später an.

• mich: me
• anrufen: to call
• Lea: Lea

Questions & Answers about Lea ruft mich später an.

Why is an at the end?

Because anrufen is a separable-prefix verb. In main clauses, German puts the finite verb in second position (ruft), and the separable prefix (an) moves to the end of the clause: Lea [ruft] mich später [an].

Can I say Lea anruft mich später or Lea ruft an mich später?

No. In a main clause you must keep verb-second: Lea ruft … an. The version with the prefix attached (anruft) belongs at the end only in a subordinate clause: …, dass Lea mich später anruft. Also, anrufen takes a direct object without a preposition, so an mich is wrong.

What’s the difference between rufen and anrufen?

• rufen = to call/shout (with your voice). Lea ruft mich means she calls out to me.
• anrufen = to call by phone. You need the an to get the phone meaning: Lea ruft mich an.

Why mich and not mir?

mich is the accusative (direct-object) form of ich. anrufen is a transitive verb and takes its person as a direct object: jemanden anrufen. mir is dative and does not fit here.

Quick reference:

• Accusative pronouns: mich, dich, ihn/sie/es, uns, euch, sie/Sie.
• Dative pronouns: mir, dir, ihm/ihr/ihm, uns, euch, ihnen/Ihnen.