beginnen
Translation
began, started, commenced
Examples
Wir begannen zu laufen.
We began to run.
Die Ferien begannen letzte Woche.
The holidays began last week.
Sie begannen mit dem Abendessen.
They began with dinner.
Grammar Patterns
((with sth.)) to begin with sth. We began with the introduction.
((to-inf)) to begin to do sth. They began to laugh.
((sth.)) to begin sth. We began the journey.
Similar Words
Synonyms: anfingen, starteten; Antonyms: endeten, aufhörten
Etymology
The plural past tense form of 'beginnen', which comes from Old High German 'ginnan' (to open). The -en ending marks the plural subject.
Memory Tips
If 'begann' is the past tense for a singular subject, 'begannen' is for plural subjects (we, they, you formal). The '-en' ending is common for plurals in German verbs.