verb
to fasten (seatbelt), to buckle up
B1
Anschnallen means “to fasten (a seatbelt)” or “to buckle up.” It’s typically used reflexively (sich anschnallen: to buckle oneself), a separable verb (du schnallst an), regular weak conjugation; Perfekt: angeschnallt. Uses auxiliary haben. Common in safety contexts and mirrors imperative forms like 'Schnall dich an!'.
Examples
Er schnallte sich an.
He buckled up.
Im Flugzeug müssen alle Passagiere bei Start die Gurte anschnallen.
On a plane all passengers have to fasten their seatbelts during takeoff.
Bitte schnall dich an, bevor das Auto losfährt.
Please buckle up before the car starts moving.
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine pulling a strap across your body and clicking it into the buckle — 'an' (on) + 'schnallen' (buckle).
Sounds a bit like 'on-schnall' — put it ON and 'schnall' (buckle).
Notes
Anschnallen is commonly used reflexively (sich anschnallen). It is separable and regular; perfect participle is 'angeschnallt'.