anzugeben

Angeben is a German verb formed from geben with the prefix an-, and it exists in several related senses. In common usage it means to indicate or state information, to specify something that is required or provided, or to name details on a form or declaration. In this sense it is often found in administrative, legal, and formal contexts, for example: “Sie müssen Ihre persönlichen Angaben angeben” or “Bitte geben Sie die Herkunft der Waren an.” The noun form Angabe (plural Angaben) is used for the information itself or a stated detail.

A second major meaning of geben, and thus of angeben when used with the prefix, is to boast or to show off. In this sense “angeben” describes someone who displays what they have or what they can do, often with a connotation of swagger. Example: “Er gibt gern mit seinem Auto an.” The sense is informal and figurative, contrasting with the more neutral administrative usage.

Grammatically, angeben is a strong verb with separable prefix in some tenses (ich gebe an / er gab an) and in constructions requiring a infinitive with zu, the form anz ugebe n (to indicate) or Angaben anzugeben appears, for example: “Es ist notwendig, Angaben anzugeben.” The past participle is angegeben, used both adjectivally (angegebene Informationen) and in compound tenses (hat angegeben).

Related terms include Angabe (information, statement), Angabepflicht (obligation to provide information), and Nennung (naming). Angeben is thus a versatile verb with both neutral, formal usage and informal, evaluative connotations.