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verb

anbrennen

burn

Wenn etwas durch zu viel Hitze dunkel wird und schlecht riecht oder schmeckt.

Definition & meaning

The verb anbrennen generally refers to two main concepts depending on the context:

  1. To start burning or to ignite: This refers to the act of lighting something, such as a candle, a fireplace, or a cigarette.
  2. To burn while cooking: This refers to food getting scorched or sticking to the bottom of a pan or pot because it was cooked at too high a temperature or for too long.

In a figurative sense, it is also used in the idiom "da brennt nichts an", which means that nothing will go wrong or that one is in a safe, controlled situation.

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar:

  • Part of speech: Verb (separable).
  • Verb type: Strong verb (irregular).
  • Conjugation: brennt an (present), brannte an (past), ist angebrannt (perfect).
  • Separability: It is a separable verb; the prefix an- moves to the end of the sentence in main clauses (e.g., "Ich brenne die Kerze an.").

Origin: The word is composed of the prefix an- (meaning "on" or "to") and the verb brennen (to burn). It essentially describes the process of "initiating" the burning state of an object.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

  • For igniting: anzünden, entzünden, anstecken.
  • For food burning: ansetzen, verkohlen.

Antonyms:

  • For igniting: ausmachen, löschen, ausblasen.

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Examples

Die Suppe darf auf dem Herd nicht anbrennen.verb

The soup must not burn on the stove.

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