German Phrase
Ich fang um 9 Uhr an zu arbeiten.
Meaning
Literally, 'I start at 9 o'clock to work.' It means you begin your workday at nine in the morning. The phrase emphasizes the exact starting time rather than the duration of work.
When to use
Use this sentence when you want to tell someone your work schedule, answer a question about when you begin work, or arrange a meeting that depends on your start time.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ichfangum9Uhranzuarbeiten
Trennbares Verb 'anfangen'
The verb 'anfangen' splits in main clause: 'fang' (stem) appears before the object and the prefix 'an' moves to the end.
Zeitangabe mit 'um ... Uhr'
Use 'um' + exact hour + 'Uhr' to state a precise time.
'zu' + Infinitiv nach 'anfangen'
When 'anfangen' is followed by another verb, use the construction 'anfangen zu + infinitive'.
Infinitiv 'arbeiten'
The base form of the verb meaning 'to work'.
🗨In Conversation
Wann fängst du mit der Arbeit an?
When do you start work?
Ich fang um 9 Uhr an zu arbeiten.
I start working at 9 o'clock.
✕Common Mistakes
Ich um 9 Uhr an arbeiten.
Missing the verb 'anfangen' and the required 'zu' before the infinitive.
Ich fange um 9 Uhr arbeiten.
The infinitive after 'anfangen' must be introduced by 'zu'.
Ich fang um 9 Uhr zu arbeiten an.
The separable prefix 'an' must stay at the end of the clause, not after 'zu'.
↔Alternatives
Ich beginne um 9 Uhr zu arbeiten.
I begin working at 9 o'clock.
Um 9 Uhr beginne ich zu arbeiten.
At 9 o'clock I begin to work.
Ich arbeite ab 9 Uhr.
I work from 9 o'clock.
Cultural Tip
Germans value punctuality, so stating the exact hour with 'um … Uhr' is common in professional contexts. The word 'Uhr' is always written after the number, even in informal speech. When speaking with colleagues, you can also say 'Ich bin ab 9 Uhr im Büro' (I'm in the office from 9).