verb

anfallen

occur · arise · be produced · be incurred

Es bedeutet, dass etwas zusätzlich entsteht oder dazukommt, zum Beispiel Arbeit, Kosten oder Aufgaben.

Definition & meaning

anfallen is a separable German verb with several related meanings:

To arise, accrue, or be generated
Used especially for costs, work, data, waste, or other quantities that occur as a result of an activity.
- Bei der Renovierung fallen hohe Kosten an. — High costs arise during the renovation.
- Bei der Produktion fällt viel Abfall an. — A lot of waste is generated during production.
- Es fällt noch etwas Arbeit an. — There is still some work to be done.
To attack or pounce on someone
Usually used for an animal or a person attacking someone suddenly.
- Der Hund hat den Briefträger angefallen. — The dog attacked the mail carrier.
- Der Mann wurde von einem Fremden angefallen. — The man was attacked by a stranger.
To accrue to or be assigned to someone
This meaning is formal or less common. It describes something becoming someone’s share or entitlement. In everyday German, zufallen is usually more natural.

Grammar & Word origin

Infinitive: anfallen
Present tense: er fällt an
Simple past: er fiel an
Past participle: angefallen
Auxiliary verb: usually sein when something arises; haben when someone or something attacks
- Die Kosten sind angefallen. — The costs arose.
- Der Hund hat ihn angefallen. — The dog attacked him.
Verb type: separable verb
- Die Kosten fallen an.
- Der Hund fällt den Mann an.

The word consists of the prefix an- and fallen , “to fall.” The original image is that of falling upon something or someone. The meaning “to arise or be incurred” developed from the idea of something “falling due” or becoming present.

Synonyms & antonyms

Meaning: to arise or be generated

entstehen — to arise or come into existence; more general than anfallen
sich ergeben — to result or arise; often used for results, figures, or consequences
aufkommen — to arise or occur, especially with costs, demand, or problems
verursacht werden — to be caused; emphasizes the cause rather than the fact that something has arisen

Possible antonyms include:

wegfallen — to be omitted or no longer apply
vermeiden — to avoid something before it arises
einsparen — to save or reduce costs, work, or resources

Meaning: to attack

angreifen — to attack; the standard general term and less specifically associated with a sudden pounce
überfallen [?](vocabuo://word überfallen) — to assault or ambush, often unexpectedly and sometimes in a criminal context
attackieren — to attack; somewhat more formal or direct

Possible antonyms include: