der  Anschlag

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈanʃlaːk/

📜 What does "der Anschlag" mean?

The word der Anschlag (masculine) is a versatile German noun with several distinct meanings. Here are the most important ones:

• Attack/Assault: A hostile, often violent action against people, institutions, or states. Example: der terroristische Anschlag (the terrorist attack).
• Notice/Poster/Announcement: A public notice, often on paper posted on a wall or board, disseminating information. Example: der Anschlag am Schwarzen Brett (the notice on the bulletin board).
• Keystroke/Touch (Keyboard, Piano): The act of pressing a key on a keyboard, piano, or typewriter. Example: der Anschlag auf der Tastatur (the keystroke on the keyboard), der Klavieranschlag (the piano touch).
• Mechanical Stop/Limit: A point or part in a mechanism that limits movement. Example: der Türanschlag (the doorstop), der Anschlag einer Schraube (the stop of a screw).
• Shouldering (Rifle): The way a rifle is brought to the shoulder for aiming. Example: der Anschlag beim Schießen (the shouldering/stance in shooting).

⚠️ It's important to consider the context to understand the correct meaning of der Anschlag.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "der Anschlag" in Detail

The noun Anschlag is masculine, so its article is der. It is declined as follows:

Singular

Note: The Genitive and Dative forms ending in "-e" (Anschlages, Anschlage) are less common and tend to be more formal or archaic.

Plural

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der Anschlag wurde von den Behörden untersucht. (Attack: The attack was investigated by the authorities.)
2. Hast du den Anschlag im Foyer gesehen? (Notice: Did you see the notice in the foyer?)
3. Ihr schneller Anschlag auf der Tastatur ist beeindruckend. (Keystroke: Her fast keystroke on the keyboard is impressive.)
4. Die Tür schließt nicht richtig, der Anschlag ist defekt. (Mechanism: The door doesn't close properly, the stop is defective.)
5. Ein fester Anschlag ist wichtig für einen präzisen Schuss. (Rifle: A firm shouldering/stance is important for an accurate shot.)

💡 Usage in Context

The meaning of der Anschlag usually becomes clear from the context:

• Politics/News: Almost always refers to a violent attack. Synonyms like Attentat (assassination/attack) or Angriff (attack) are often used. Example: "Die Zahl der Anschläge hat zugenommen." (The number of attacks has increased.)
• Office/School/Public Places: Here, Anschlag usually refers to a notice or announcement. Synonyms: Aushang (notice), Mitteilung (communication), Bekanntmachung (announcement). Example: "Bitte beachten Sie den Anschlag zur neuen Kantinenordnung." (Please note the notice regarding the new canteen rules.)
• Music/Technology (Keyboards): Refers to pressing the keys. One speaks of Tastenanschlag (keystroke) or Klavieranschlag (piano touch/stroke). Example: "Der Pianist hat einen sehr gefühlvollen Anschlag." (The pianist has a very sensitive touch.) / "Die Tastatur hat einen angenehmen Anschlag." (The keyboard has a pleasant keystroke feel.)
• Crafts/Technology (Mechanics): Describes a mechanical limit or stop. Example: "Der Türanschlag verhindert, dass die Tür gegen die Wand schlägt." (The doorstop prevents the door from hitting the wall.)
• Military/Shooting Sports: Refers to the positioning of the rifle against the shoulder. Example: "Er übte den liegenden Anschlag." (He practiced the prone position/stance.)

🚨 Confusion is rare as the contexts are usually very different. However, be aware that the word carries a very serious connotation in certain contexts (e.g., news related to attacks).

🧠 How to Remember "der Anschlag"

Article Mnemonic (der)

Imagine DER (the strong, masculine) attacker plans DER Anschlag (the attack). Or think of DER (the prominent) notice being an die Wand geschlagen (hit/posted onto the wall). The 'schlag' (strike/hit) part might remind you of something active, associated with the masculine article 'der'.

Meaning Mnemonic (Variety)

Think of the verb anschlagen (to strike, to post, to hit a key): You can schlagen something an a wall (post a notice), schlagen keys an (hit keys), sound (schlagen) an alarm (attack/warning), or schlagen a rifle an the shoulder (shoulder it). The core idea is 'striking/hitting onto/against something'.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words

• Abschlag: Often means a reduction (discount) or a down payment. Sounds similar but has different meanings.
• Aufschlag: Can mean a price increase, the serve in tennis/volleyball, or an impact.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum beschweren sich Computer nie über ihren Job? Weil sie jeden Anschlag einfach hinnehmen!

(Why do computers never complain about their job? Because they just accept every Anschlag [keystroke/attack]!) 😉

📜 Poem about the Word

Der Anschlag, diverse, hard to grasp,
Mal trifft er Tasten, lässt Musik erklingen, (Sometimes hits keys, lets music sound,)
Mal hängt er still an Mauern, fast verlassen, (Sometimes hangs still on walls, almost forlorn,)
Als Zettel, der uns Neuigkeiten bringen. (As a note that brings us news.)

Mal ist er Stopper, der Bewegung endet, (Sometimes it's a stopper, ending motion,)
Ein Punkt, an dem die Technik innehalten muss. (A point where technology must pause.)
Doch manchmal ist's Gewalt, die jäh uns blendet, (But sometimes it's violence, suddenly blinding us,)
Ein finstrer Plan, ein schmerzlicher Schuss. (A dark plan, a painful shot.)

So prüfe stets den Sinn, den er grad trägt, (So always check the meaning it carries,)
Der Anschlag – word with serious and light impact.

🧩 Riddle Time

I can mean violence, both quiet and loud,
A notice that hangs where it's seen by the crowd.
I live in the music from keys softly pressed,
And stop mechanisms, putting movement to rest.
Sometimes I'm part of a shot, aimed with care.

What am I, always masculine, beyond compare?

Solution: der Anschlag

✨ Other Information

Word Origin

The word Anschlag derives from the verb anschlagen. It consists of the prefix an- (on, at) and the verb schlagen (to hit, strike). The basic meaning is therefore to strike or bring something onto or against something else.

• A notice is an die Wand geschlagen (hit/posted onto the wall).
• A key is angeschlagen (struck/hit on).
• An attack is struck (geschlagen) against (an) someone/something.
• Something hits (schlägt an) against a mechanical stop.

Cultural Aspects

The term "Anschlag" in the sense of an attack has become heavily emotionally charged due to historical events and media coverage, often associated with terrorism. In a musical context (Klavieranschlag), however, it has an aesthetic dimension related to touch and expression.