der  Anhang

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈanhaŋ/

📖 What does "der Anhang" mean?

Der Anhang is a masculine noun with several meanings:

• Appendix or supplement to a document or book: This is often an addition at the end containing extra information, tables, sources, or images. Example: Im Anhang des Buches finden Sie die Bibliografie. (You'll find the bibliography in the book's appendix.)
• File sent with an email (attachment): A digital file (image, document, etc.) that is "attached" to an email. Example: Ich habe Ihnen die Dokumente im Anhang geschickt. (I sent you the documents in the attachment.) 📧
• Group of people (often family or entourage): A group of people belonging to or accompanying someone. This meaning can sometimes sound slightly derogatory, depending on the context. Example: Er kam mit seinem ganzen Anhang zur Party. (He came to the party with his whole entourage/family.) / Der Star reiste mit großem Anhang. (The star travelled with a large entourage.) 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

⚠️ Pay attention to the context to understand the correct meaning.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "der Anhang" in Detail

The noun "Anhang" is masculine (der). Here are the declension tables:

📝 Example Sentences for Grammar

1. Der Anhang des Berichts enthält wichtige Grafiken. (The report's appendix contains important graphics.)
2. Die Informationen des Anhangs sind vertraulich. (The information in the appendix is confidential.)
3. Bitte fügen Sie dem Anhang noch die Tabelle hinzu. (Please add the table to the appendix.)
4. Ich habe den Anhang der E-Mail geöffnet. (I opened the email attachment.)
5. Die Anhänge der Verträge sind nummeriert. (The appendices of the contracts are numbered.)
6. Der Inhalt der Anhänge muss geprüft werden. (The content of the appendices must be checked.)
7. Wir arbeiten gerade an den Anhängen. (We are currently working on the appendices.)
8. Bitte überprüfen Sie alle Anhänge sorgfältig. (Please check all attachments carefully.)

💡 How "der Anhang" is Used

• Academic/Formal Context: In academic papers, reports, or books, 'der Anhang' refers to the supplementary section at the end.
• Digital Communication: In the context of emails, 'der Anhang' is the attached file (equivalent to English 'attachment').
• Social Context: Using 'der Anhang' for a group of people (family, friends, entourage) is rather colloquial and can be neutral or slightly negative depending on the tone (e.g., implying a burdensome following).

Distinction from similar words:

• Beilage (die): Often something loosely enclosed (e.g., an advertising insert in a newspaper), whereas der Anhang is a more integral part of a document. However, in the context of emails, the terms are often used synonymously with 'Anhang'.
• Nachtrag (der): More like a later addition or correction, often shorter than an Anhang.
• Gefolge (das): Refers more specifically to the attendants of an important person (king, star), while 'Anhang' can more broadly include family/friends.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Anhang"

For the article (der): Think of the (der) strong man (masculine) who always brings his family Anhang. Or imagine the (der) main document needs something masculine hanging onto it - der Anhang.

For the meanings: Picture something hanging on something else ('an' + 'hangen'): The extra pages hang on a book (appendix), the file hangs on the email (attachment), and the family hangs on a person (followers/entourage). It's all about something attached or accompanying.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words:

• Anhänger (der): Refers to a single person (fan, follower) or an object (pendant, trailer). Der Anhang is usually the group or the addendum.
• Abhang (der): A slope or hillside. Sounds similar but unrelated.

😄 A Little Joke

DE: Warum hat die E-Mail Angst vor dem Anhang?
Weil er immer so anhänglich ist! 😉

EN: Why is the email afraid of the attachment (der Anhang)?
Because it's always so clingy (anhänglich)! 😉

📜 Poem about "der Anhang"

DE:
Am Ende vom Bericht, ganz klar,
steht Wichtiges, das ist doch wahr.
Der Anhang, wohl sortiert und fein,
schließt Zusatzwissen sauber ein.

Die Mail geschickt, schnell und behänd,
die Datei ist mitgesend't.
Im Anhang reist sie durch die Welt,
das digitale Datenfeld.

Und kommt Herr Müller zur Feier an,
Mit Frau und Kindern, seinem Clan,
Anhang an.

EN:
At the report's end, clear and true,
Stands important info, just for you.
Der Anhang, sorted neat and fine,
Encloses extra knowledge, clean in line.

The mail sent off, quick and so deft,
The file along with it is left.
In the attachment (Anhang), it travels the sphere,
The digital data field held dear.

And when Herr Müller comes to the fête,
Rarely is he a single silhouette.
With wife and kids, his whole clan,
He brought his entire following (Anhang) then.

🧩 Little Riddle

DE:
Ich hänge an Büchern, bin oft am Schluss zu seh'n,
oder reise digital, wenn E-Mails geh'n.
Manchmal bin ich eine Gruppe, groß oder klein,
die mit einer Person zieht – wer mag ich sein?

EN:
I hang onto books, often seen at the end,
Or travel digitally, when emails send.
Sometimes I'm a group, large or small in tow,
Following a person – who am I, do you know?

Solution: Der Anhang

✨ Other Information

Word Composition: The word "Anhang" is composed of the prefix "an" (meaning 'on' or 'at') and the verb "hängen" (meaning 'to hang'). It literally describes something that hangs onto something else.

Plural Usage: While the plural "die Anhänge" is common for document appendices and email attachments, it's less frequently used for groups of people. You'd more likely hear "seinem Anhang" (his following/family - singular) rather than "seinen Anhängen" when referring to people.