German Phrase
Die Musik fängt gleich an.
Meaning
The sentence tells listeners that the music is about to start in a moment. It’s a handy phrase for concerts, parties, or any event where a performance is imminent.
When to use
Use this phrase when you’re at a venue, a party, a radio show, or any situation where people are waiting for the music to begin. It works both in informal chats and in announcements.
✦Grammar Breakdown
DieMusikfängtgleichan
Definite Article (Die)
‘Die’ is the feminine singular definite article used here because ‘Musik’ is a feminine noun.
Noun (Musik)
‘Musik’ means ‘music’ and is a feminine noun (die Musik).
Separable Verb (anfangen → fängt … an)
‘anfangen’ is a separable verb; in the present tense the prefix ‘an’ moves to the end of the clause: ‘fängt … an’.
Adverb (gleich)
‘gleich’ means ‘soon’ or ‘right away’, placed directly before the verb phrase.
Verb Conjugation (fängt)
Third‑person singular present of ‘anfangen’: ‘er/sie/es fängt’.
🗨In Conversation
Wie lange dauert es noch, bis die Musik startet?
How much longer until the music starts?
Die Musik fängt gleich an.
The music is about to start.
✕Common Mistakes
Die Musik anfängt gleich.
‘anfängt’ is not a correct form; the verb must be split: ‘fängt … an’.
Die Musik fängt an gleich.
The adverb ‘gleich’ should stay before the verb phrase, not between the split parts.
Musik fängt gleich an die.
Word order is wrong; the subject must stay at the beginning.
↔Alternatives
Die Musik beginnt gleich.
The music begins soon.
Der Song startet gleich.
The song starts soon.
Bald geht die Musik los.
Soon the music will get going.
Cultural Tip
In German‑speaking events it’s common to announce that something is about to happen with a short, clear sentence. ‘fängt an’ sounds a bit more casual than ‘beginnt’, so choose based on the formality of the setting. Also, remember that the prefix ‘an’ always moves to the end of the clause with separable verbs in the present tense.