verb

anschnallen

fasten · buckle up

Sich mit einem Sicherheitsgurt festmachen, damit man bei einer Fahrt geschützt ist.

Definition & meaning

anschnallen means to fasten or buckle something with a strap or belt. Most commonly, it means to buckle up or fasten one’s seat belt.

It can be used with an object, as in fastening a belt, or reflexively: sich anschnallen means “to buckle oneself in.”

Grammar & Word origin

anschnallen is a separable verb: in a main clause, an moves to the end (for example, Ich schnalle mich an). Its forms are schnallte an (simple past) and angeschnallt (past participle).

The word combines an (“on” or “to”) and schnallen (“to buckle” or “to fasten with a buckle”).

Synonyms & antonyms

angurten — to fasten with a belt; often used for fastening a seat belt, much like anschnallen.
festmachen — to secure or fasten something more generally; it does not specifically imply using a buckle or belt.
abschnallen — to unbuckle or undo a belt; the direct opposite when referring to a belt or seat belt.