anzustoßen

anzustoßen is a German verb that translates to "to toast" or "to initiate" or "to prompt" in English. As a verb, it is separable, meaning the prefix "an" can detach and move to the end of the sentence in certain grammatical constructions.

When used in the context of a celebration or a social gathering, anzustoßen refers to the act of raising glasses and clinking them together as a sign of good wishes, celebration, or a toast. For example, "Wir stoßen auf deinen Erfolg an!" translates to "We toast to your success!"

Beyond its literal meaning of toasting, anzustoßen can also mean to initiate or prompt something. This can refer to starting an event, setting a process in motion, or encouraging a particular action. For instance, "Der Artikel hat eine wichtige Diskussion angestoßen" means "The article initiated an important discussion." The verb implies a starting point or a catalyst for something to happen. Its usage depends heavily on the surrounding context to determine whether it refers to a social toast or the initiation of an action.