der  Anhieb

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈanhiːp/

🎯 What does "der Anhieb" mean?

Der Anhieb (masculine) refers to the first attempt or the immediate success of an action. It is almost exclusively used in the fixed phrase "auf Anhieb", which means "right away", "at the first attempt", "straight off", or "without hesitation".

It describes a situation where something works correctly on the very first try, without prior attempts or preparation.

🚨 Attention: The noun "Anhieb" itself is rarely used alone. The phrase "auf Anhieb" is by far the most common usage.

🧐 Grammar of "der Anhieb" in Detail

Der Anhieb is a masculine noun. It is primarily used in the singular and in the dative case within the phrase "auf Anhieb".

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

A plural form ("die Anhiebe") theoretically exists but is extremely rarely used in practice, as the concept usually refers to a single, first attempt.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Er hat die Prüfung auf Anhieb bestanden.
   (He passed the exam on the first try.)
2. Ich habe den Weg auf Anhieb gefunden.
   (I found the way right away.)
3. Das neue Programm funktionierte auf Anhieb fehlerfrei.
   (The new program worked flawlessly straight off.)
4. Sie verstanden sich auf Anhieb gut.
   (They got along well right from the start.)
5. Es ist selten, dass etwas so Komplexes auf Anhieb klappt.
   (It's rare for something so complex to work on the first attempt.)

💡 How to use "auf Anhieb"

The phrase "auf Anhieb" is very common in everyday German. It expresses that something:

• Succeeds immediately on the first try.
• Happens without problems or delay.
• Is intuitively understood or works at first glance.

It's often used to express surprise or admiration for immediate success.

Context: Suitable for both formal and informal conversations. Can refer to skills, understanding, technical devices, or social interactions.

Comparison:

• Sofort (immediately): Similar, but "auf Anhieb" emphasizes the first attempt more strongly.
• Direkt (directly): Can also mean "by a direct route", whereas "auf Anhieb" refers to the success of the attempt.
• Beim ersten Mal (the first time): Very similar and often interchangeable.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Anhieb"

Article Mnemonic: Think of 'der' as in 'the first try'. Imagine you hit (hauen -> Anhieb) something with 'der Mann' (the man's) fist on the first try, and it works!

Meaning Mnemonic: "Auf An-hieb": Imagine you 'hit' (hieb sounds like hit) a button and bam, it works instantly – on the first 'hit'.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but different words

• Der Antrieb: motivation, drive, engine (unrelated to the first attempt).
• Der Hieb: a blow, a strike (might be related etymologically, but different meaning).

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Computer die Prüfung auf Anhieb bestanden?
Weil er alle Antworten im Cache hatte! 😉

(Why did the computer pass the exam on the first try?
Because it had all the answers cached!)

✍️ Poem about the First Try

Ein Plan, ganz neu, ein erster Schritt,
Man hofft, man bangt, hält kaum noch Tritt.
Doch siehe da, es läuft, es passt,
Gelungen ist's, ganz ohne Hast.
Auf Anhieb ging's, wie wunderbar,
So wünscht man sich das, Jahr für Jahr.

(A plan brand new, a first small stride,
One hopes, one fears, nowhere to hide.
But look, it runs, it fits just right,
Succeeded now, with pure delight.
Right at first try, it went so well,
A wish come true, a magic spell.)

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich beschreibe einen Start, der sofort glückt,
Bin oft ein Ausdruck, der dich sehr entzückt.
Beim ersten Versuch, da liegst du richtig fein,
Was muss das wohl für eine Wendung sein?

(I describe a start that succeeds right away,
I'm often an expression that brightens your day.
On the very first attempt, things turn out fine,
What phrase could this possibly be, divine?)

Solution: auf Anhieb

🧩 Further Info

Word Composition: The word "Anhieb" likely derives from the verb "anhauen" in the sense of "to start" or "to initiate". One might imagine a carpenter starting work with the first strike (Hieb) of the hammer.

Cultural Significance: Succeeding "auf Anhieb" is generally viewed positively in German culture and can be seen as a sign of talent, good preparation, or simply good luck.