an
Translation
at, on, to
Examples
Das Bild hängt an der Wand.
The picture is hanging on the wall.
Ich hänge das Bild an die Wand.
I am hanging the picture on the wall.
Wir treffen uns am Bahnhof.
We are meeting at the train station.
Grammar Patterns
((an +3)) (location) at/on (sth.dat) Das Bild hängt an der Wand.
((an +4)) (direction) to/onto (sth.acc) Ich hänge das Bild an die Wand.
((am (an dem))) (time) on (day/date) Wir treffen uns am Montag.
Similar Words
bei (at/near), auf (on top of)
Etymology
From Old High German 'ana', cognate with English 'on'.
Memory Tips
Think of 'contact'. Used for vertical surfaces (on the wall) or close proximity (at the station). Dative for location, Accusative for movement.