The word daran is used to refer to an object, concept, or situation, and generally replaces a prepositional phrase. For example, Ich arbeite an dem Projekt ("I am working on the project") becomes Ich arbeite daran ("I am working on it"), where daran replaces the prepositional phrase an dem Projekt.

Und daran muss man sich immer wieder erinnern.

And we have to always remind ourselves of that.

Caption 14, 25 Jahre Wiedervereinigung: Ampelmännchen wird Einheitsmännchen

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Also, daran sollten wir uns nicht gewöhnen.

So, we shouldn't get used to that.

Caption 44, Fußballspieler Maik Franz: "Call a Bike"

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The word dran is the colloquial, contracted form of daran. In some sentences, the two words are interchangeable, and this may depend a bit on what region or country you are in.

Fast nicht mehr dran geglaubt

Almost didn't believe in it anymore

Caption 10, Clueso: Willkommen zurück feat. Andreas Bourani

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Das Tolle dran ist irgendwie, dass des alles Wildtiere {san} [sind]

The great thing about it is, somehow, that they are all wild animals

Captions 15-16, Die Alpen von oben: Von den Karawanken nach Graz

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However, there are some phrases where daran simply isn't used. The first example below occurs in a phone call, and the second refers to taking turns. The other phrases also only use dran.

Bist du noch dran?

Are you still there?

Caption 58, Die Pfefferkörner: Endspurt

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Was denn? -Los, jetzt bist du dran.

What? -Go ahead, now it's your turn.

Caption 45, Die Pfefferkörner: Alles auf Anfang

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Irgendwie bin ich spät dran, fang schon mal mit dem Essen an

Somehow I'm running late, go ahead and start the meal already

Caption 13, Tim Bendzko: Nur noch kurz die Welt retten

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Das ist furchtbar! Und wir waren schon so nah dran ...

This is terrible! And we were already so close...

Caption 13, Der kleine Nick: Nachmittag bei Adalbert

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An allem, was man sagt ist auch was dran.

In everything that's said there is some truth to it.

Captions 3-4, Clueso Gewinner

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Further Learning

You'll find many more examples on Yabla German!

At one point, we wrote a lesson on the difference between eröffnen and öffnen. The verb öffnen is basically what it sounds like, while the verb eröffnen can also be used with non-physical entities that can be "opened," as well as something that is established or instituted.

When it comes to closing something, you probably know the word schließen. And just as aufmachen can substitute for öffnen, zumachen is another verb used to talk about closing something. 

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Jetzt schließe ich meinen Koffer.

Now, I'll close my suitcase.

Caption 22, Christiane: fährt in den Urlaub

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Die Polizei sagt, er solle seinen Kofferraum aufmachen.

The police officer says he should open his trunk.

Caption 4, Sabine erzählt Witze: Die Pinguine

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Wenn keine Tür da ist, kann man sie auch nicht zumachen.

If there is no door, you can't close it either.

Caption 26, Piggeldy und Frederick: Haus

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That is all relatively simple, but when it comes to locking and unlocking something like a door, there are many more verbs you can use, such as aufschließen, zuschließen, verschließen, and abschließen. The first two are similar to aufmachen and zumachen, but would refer to something that is shut very securely or locked. You may know the verb abschließen as "to finish" or "to conclude," but it can also mean "to lock up." Interestingly, aufgeschlossen is also an adjective used to describe a person being "open" or "receptive."

Frankreich plant nachzuziehen und auch London will aufschließen.

France plans to follow suit and London wants to open [its financial markets] up as well.

Caption 41, Frankfurt wird Handelszentrum für die chinesische Währung Yuan

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Die Schachtel ist total sicher verschlossen.

The box is completely and securely shut.

Caption 58, The Simple Physics: Schrödingers Katze

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Also, die Leute sind sehr aufgeschlossen.

Well, the people are very receptive.

Caption 7, Eva Croissant: Interview

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It then gets even more specific, with verbs like entriegeln and entsperren, which could also mean "unlatch" or "unbolt." 

Maik gibt den vierstelligen Code ein und entriegelt das Schloss.

Maik enters the four-digit code and unlocks the lock.

Caption 28, Fußballspieler Maik Franz: "Call a Bike"

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Further Learning
You can find many examples of these verbs on Yabla German, which is the best way to understand the nuances in their meaning. You can also look up the list of possible translations for each verb with an online dictionary like leo.org to get a sense of this as well. While you're at it, consider aufsperren and zusperren, two additional verbs more often used in Southern Germany. Based on the other verbs you have learned, what do you think these mean?