anfügen

Anfügen is a German verb meaning to attach, append, or add something to another object or text. It is commonly used in written communication and document handling, such as emails, reports, and forms, where content is added to an existing document or message. The action focuses on incorporating an additional element into an existing item.

Grammatical usage is typically as a separable verb. In present tense one says, for example, Ich füge dem Bericht eine Grafik an. The prefix an- is separated in main clauses. In the perfect tense the form is Ich habe dem Bericht eine Grafik angefügt. The thing being added is usually the direct object, while the recipient or target is expressed in the dative: dem Bericht, der Datei, etc. The expression einen Anhang anfügen is common to mean “to attach a file or appendix.”

Related verbs include anhängen and anbringen, which share the general idea of attaching but differ in nuance. Anhängen often emphasizes a connection or physical attachment, while anbringen can refer to placing or mounting something at a specific position. In everyday usage, Anhang is the standard noun for an attached file or document, as in der Anhang der E-Mail. The noun Anfügung exists but is rare and tends to appear in formal or legal contexts.

Examples: Ich füge dem Brief einen Anhang an. Bitte fügen Sie dem Formular Ihren Lebenslauf an. Der Anhang enthält weitere Informationen. Such usages are common in office work, academia, and formal correspondence.