anstehen
line up · stand · queue
Warten, bis man an der Reihe ist, oft in einer Reihe mit anderen Menschen.
The German verb "anstehen" has two main meanings depending on the context:
-
To stand in line/queue (literal sense):
- "an" means at or on.
- "stehen" means to stand.
Example: "Wir müssen an der Kasse anstehen." (We have to stand in line at the cashier.)
-
To be pending or upcoming (figurative sense):
Refers to tasks or events that are due or about to happen.
Example: "Viele Aufgaben stehen noch an." (Many tasks are still pending.)
Similar words:
- reihen (to queue) - more formal
- warten (to wait) - more general
- bevorstehen (to lie ahead/upcoming tasks)
Differences:
- "anstehen" emphasizes physically standing in a queue or something pending soon, while "warten" is broader for any type of waiting.
- "bevorstehen" is only used for future events, not for physical queues.
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Examples
Viele Menschen stehen für das Konzert an.verb
Many people are lining up for the concert.
Heute müssen alle für die Tickets anstehen.verb
Today everyone has to stand in line for the tickets.
Viele Besucher müssen am Eingang anstehen.verb
Many visitors have to queue at the entrance.
Gestern standen wir lange vor der Kasse an.verb
Yesterday we queued for a long time in front of the checkout.
Musst du wirklich für diese kleine Bestellung anstehen?verb
Do you really have to queue for this small order?
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