German Phrase
Ich hab' Angst.
Meaning
This phrase is the standard way to express fear or anxiety in German. Unlike English, which uses the verb 'to be', German uses the verb 'haben' (to have) combined with the noun 'Angst' (fear). The apostrophe in 'hab'' marks the colloquial shortening of the first-person singular 'habe'.
When to use
Use this phrase whenever you feel scared or nervous about something. It works for immediate physical threats as well as general anxiety about future events like exams or meetings.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ichhab'Angst
Haben
The verb 'haben' is used with nouns like 'Angst', 'Hunger', or 'Durst' to describe states of being.
Capitalization
In German, all nouns like 'Angst' are capitalized, regardless of where they appear in the sentence.
🗨In Conversation
Kommst du mit in den Keller?
Are you coming to the basement with me?
Nein, ich hab' Angst.
No, I am afraid.
✕Common Mistakes
Ich bin Angst.
Use 'haben' (to have) instead of 'sein' (to be) when expressing fear in German.
Ich habe ängstlich.
The verb 'haben' must be followed by the noun 'Angst', not the adjective 'ängstlich'.
↔Alternatives
Ich fürchte mich.
I am afraid.
Ich habe Bammel.
I'm nervous (informal).
Cultural Tip
In Germany, expressing fear is seen as a normal human emotion, though in formal contexts, 'Ich mache mir Sorgen' (I am worried) is often preferred. The contraction 'hab'' is extremely common in daily conversation and helps you sound more like a native speaker.