Verb

an|haben

to wear, to have on, to harm, to affect

Was hast du heute an?

What are you wearing today?

Er hatte einen alten Hut an.

He was wearing an old hat.

Diese Kritik kann mir nichts anhaben.

This criticism can't harm me.

((sth.)) anhaben to wear sth. She had a red dress on.

((sb.dat)) ((sth.)) anhaben to harm sb. The rumors can't harm her.

Synonyms: tragen (to wear); Antonyms: ausziehen (to take off)

From 'an-' (on) + 'haben' (to have). Literally 'to have on'.

Think of 'having' clothes 'on' your body. For the meaning 'to harm', imagine something negative 'having' an effect 'on' you.

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