verb

anrufen

call

Jemanden über das Telefon kontaktieren, um mit ihm zu sprechen.

The German word "anrufen" is a verb that means "to call" (typically referring to making a telephone call). It is made up of the prefix "an" and the verb "rufen" which means "to call" or "to shout".

Similar words in German include:

telefonieren - to telephone
rufen - to call (in the sense of shouting or calling out to someone)
klingeln - to ring (the act of the phone ringing)

Difference:

anrufen specifically refers to making a phone call.
telefonieren involves being on the phone, emphasizing the act of telephoning rather than initiating the call.
rufen is more general and pertains to vocal calling, not restricted to telephony.
klingeln focuses on the ringing noise made by the phone, not the act of calling itself.