German Phrase
Die Show fängt um acht an.
Meaning
The sentence tells the listener that a particular show begins at eight o’clock. It uses the separable verb ‘anfangen’ (to start) in the present tense, split into ‘fängt … an’, and the time expression ‘um acht’ to indicate the exact start time.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to inform someone about the start time of a TV program, theater performance, concert, or any scheduled show. It works in both casual conversation and more formal announcements.
✦Grammar Breakdown
DieShowfängtumachtan.
Definite article (Die)
‘Die’ is the nominative feminine singular article, used here because ‘Show’ is a feminine noun.
Borrowed noun (Show)
‘Show’ is a loanword from English, treated as a feminine noun in German (die Show).
Separable verb (anfangen)
‘anfangen’ splits in main clauses: the stem ‘fängt’ appears in the verb position and the prefix ‘an’ moves to the sentence end.
Time preposition (um)
‘um’ introduces a precise clock time and governs the accusative; the hour is expressed without a case ending.
Cardinal number (acht)
‘acht’ is the number eight; when used with ‘um’, you do not add ‘Uhr’ unless you want to be explicit.
🗨In Conversation
Wann beginnt die Show?
When does the show start?
Die Show fängt um acht an.
The show starts at eight.
✕Common Mistakes
Die Show anfängt um acht.
The verb ‘anfangen’ must be split in main clauses; the correct order is ‘fängt … an’.
Die Show fängt um acht Uhr.
‘Uhr’ is optional; adding it is fine, but learners sometimes forget the required ‘an’ at the end.
Die Show fängt um acht.
Missing the separable prefix ‘an’ makes the sentence incomplete.
↔Alternatives
Die Show startet um acht.
The show starts at eight.
Die Sendung beginnt um acht.
The broadcast begins at eight.
Um acht geht die Show los.
The show kicks off at eight.
Cultural Tip
In German‑speaking cultures punctuality is highly valued, so ‘um acht’ means exactly at eight, not ‘around eight’. The word ‘Show’ is commonly used for live performances or TV entertainment, while ‘Sendung’ is preferred for regular TV programmes. If you want to be extra clear, you can add ‘Uhr’ (Die Show fängt um acht Uhr an.), but it is not required.