German Phrase
Lass uns mit dem Schrank anfangen.
Meaning
This sentence means “Let’s start with the wardrobe/closet.” It suggests beginning a task, discussion, or project by focusing first on the wardrobe.
When to use
Use it when you’re organizing a room, planning furniture placement, or tackling a DIY project and you want to prioritize the wardrobe before moving on to other items.
✦Grammar Breakdown
LassunsmitdemSchrankanfangen
Lass uns
The construction “Lass uns” is the colloquial imperative of “lassen” + “uns” (let’s). It invites the listener to do something together.
mit + Dativ
The preposition “mit” always governs the dative case, so “dem Schrank” (the wardrobe) is in dative.
Verb placement
In a main clause with an imperative, the verb “anfangen” stays at the end of the sentence.
Schrank (der)
“Schrank” is a masculine noun, so its dative article is “dem”.
🗨In Conversation
Lass uns mit dem Schrank anfangen.
Let’s start with the wardrobe.
Gute Idee, dann können wir den Rest des Zimmers leichter einteilen.
Good idea, then we can arrange the rest of the room more easily.
✕Common Mistakes
Lassen wir mit dem Schrank anfangen.
The verb should be in the imperative form “Lass” for “let’s”. “Lassen wir” sounds like a suggestion in the present tense, not the idiomatic “let’s”.
Anfangen mit dem Schrank.
In German the verb “anfangen” takes the object first, then the prepositional phrase: “mit dem Schrank anfangen”.
↔Alternatives
Fangen wir mit dem Schrank an.
Let’s begin with the wardrobe.
Beginnen wir mit dem Schrank.
We’ll begin with the wardrobe.
Lass uns zuerst den Schrank bearbeiten.
Let’s first work on the wardrobe.
Cultural Tip
In German, using “Lass uns …” is a friendly, informal way to suggest a joint activity. It’s common in casual conversation among friends or family. When speaking to someone you don’t know well, you might use the more formal “Lassen Sie uns …”.