anfauchen
snap · snap at · hiss · hiss at
Definition & meaning
anfauchen is a German verb that primarily describes the sound made by certain animals, most notably cats, when they feel threatened or angry. It refers to the act of hissing at someone or something.
In a figurative sense, it is used to describe a person speaking to someone else in a sharp, aggressive, or hostile manner. It implies an abrupt, rude, or snapping reaction during a conversation.
Grammar & Word origin
anfauchen is a separable verb.
- Conjugation: ich fauche an, du fauchst an, er/sie/es faucht an, wir fauchen an, ihr faucht an, sie/Sie fauchen an.
- Past participle: angefaucht.
The word is composed of the prefix an- (at/towards) and the verb fauchen (to hiss/spit). The root fauchen is onomatopoeic, meaning it is derived from the sound made when air is forced through a narrowed opening, mimicking the noise an animal makes when hissing.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- anfahren (to snap at someone)
- anmotzen (to grumble or yell at someone)
- anpampen (to speak rudely to someone)
- zischen (to hiss, physically)
Antonyms:
Make “anfauchen” part of your vocabulary.
Build your German vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.
Examples
Der Chef faucht die Mitarbeiter an.verb
The boss snaps at the employees.
Man sollte niemanden einfach so anfauchen.verb
One should not just snap at someone.
Die Katzen fauchten sich gegenseitig an, als sie sich das erste Mal trafen.verb
The cats hissed at each other when they met for the first time.
Warum fauchst du immer so schnell andere Leute an?verb
Why do you always hiss at other people so quickly?
Gestern hat der Nachbar die Kinder laut angefaucht, weil sie so viel Lärm gemacht haben.verb
Yesterday the neighbor loudly hissed at the children because they made so much noise.
Keep exploring German
Learn words from the content you love.
Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).
Scan for iPhone & iPad