In vs. An | What's the difference?

Prepositions can be tricky in any language, and German is no exception. In particular, the prepositions "in" and "an" can be confusing for learners. In this post, we'll take a closer look at the differences between these two prepositions and when to use them.

How to use "in"

"In" is used when something is inside a location or enclosed space.

How to use "an"

"An" is used when something is at the surface of something or connected to it.

Differences between "in" and "an"

When describing location, "in" indicates being inside of something while "an" indicates being attached to the surface of something.

Wo bist du?

Where are you?

Ich bin in der Küche.

I am in the kitchen.

Und wo ist das Bild, das du gekauft hast?

And where is the picture you bought?

Das hängt schon an der Wand!

It's already hanging on the wall!

"In" is used for enclosed spaces while "an" is used for flat surfaces or edges.

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between "in" and "an" can take time, but practicing with different examples can make it easier. By learning the proper usage of these two prepositions, you can communicate more accurately in German.