anstränga

Anstränga is a Swedish verb with meanings related to applying effort, exerting oneself, or causing strain to something. Its core sense is to put in physical or mental effort to achieve a result, or to place a burden or stress on an object or system. The word forms a family with ansträngning (exertion or effort), ansträngd (strained or tense), and ansträngande (strenuous or demanding).

Common uses include both reflexive and non-reflexive constructions. With reflexive use, att anstränga sig means to exert oneself: for example, to push oneself to finish a difficult task. Non-reflexive use can describe applying effort to a task or causing strain on an object, such as att anstränga ögonen (to strain one’s eyes to see clearly) or att anstränga sin kropp i träningen (to strain one’s body during training). The verb is also used in medical and athletic contexts, for instance in expressions like ansträngningsprov or ansträngningens krav, which relate to exertion tests or the demands placed on performance.

Grammatically, anstränga is a regular Swedish verb. Inflected forms include anstränger (present), ansträngde (past), and ansträngt (supine/participle). Adjectival forms include ansträngd (strained) and ansträngande (strenuous). The term is versatile in both literal and figurative language, often used to describe physical effort, focus, or the stressing of resources or capabilities.

In summary, anstränga centers on exertion and strain, with both concrete and metaphorical applications, and serves as a foundation for related terms such as ansträngning, ansträngd, and ansträngande.