anschlagen

Anschlagen is a German verb with the separable prefix an-, derived from schlagen (to strike). In everyday use it covers several related but distinct senses, ranging from physical contact to signaling or mounting something. The prefix is typically separated in finite verb forms (ich schlage an, er schlägt an die Wand; wir schlagen die Werbetrommel an).

One common meaning is to strike against or hit something, producing a sound or impact. For example, someone can schlagen something against a surface, such as “Er schlägt den Ball an die Wand” (he strikes the ball against the wall). This sense emphasizes physical contact or collision.

A second important sense is to post, announce, or publicize information, such as prices or notices. In commerce or administration, to anschlagen means to display or publish something publicly. Phrases like “Preise anschlagen” or “Schilder/Ankündigungen anschlagen” are typical. The idea is to make information readily visible to others.

A third sense covers mounting, fixing, or hanging objects on a surface. With this meaning, one can say that a clock, sign, or plaque is “an die Wand angeschlagen” or simply “angeschlagen” when affixed by nails or screws. This use centers on attaching something to a structure.

A well-known idiomatic use is die Werbetrommel anschlagen, meaning to begin an advertising or promotional push. Here anschlagen conveys starting activity rather than a physical strike.

In noun form, Anschlag most often appears as Anschlag, ref erencing an attack or major public notice (e.g., politischer Anschlag) rather than the verb form. The plural Anschläge refers to published notices or posters in everyday language.