to challenge / contest
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to challenge / contest
To legally dispute or call something into question with the aim of having it declared invalid. This often applies to elections, wills, or contracts.
Die Opposition will das Wahlergebnis gerichtlich anfechten.
The opposition wants to legally challenge the election result.
to trouble / tempt
To lead someone into temptation, burden them emotionally, or cause doubts in them. This meaning is now rather outdated or literary.
Ihn focht die Versuchung an, das Geld einfach für sich zu behalten.
He was tempted by the idea of simply keeping the money for himself.
The verb 'anfechten' (to challenge/contest) is inseparable. The prefix 'an-' remains firmly attached to the verb 'fechten' in all sentence forms and conjugations.
Er focht die Entscheidung seines Chefs an.
He challenged his boss's decision.
The word is derived from the verb 'fechten' (to fence/fight), which means 'kämpfen' (to fight). So 'anfechten' (to challenge/contest) literally means to fight against something in order to bring it down.
Die Firma ficht den Vertrag wegen eines Formfehlers an.
The company is contesting the contract because of a formal error.
This legal meaning is often used with formal documents or official results. Typical phrases are: 'ein Wahlergebnis anfechten' (to challenge an election result), 'ein Testament anfechten' (to contest a will), 'eine Entscheidung anfechten' (to challenge a decision).
Es ist möglich, das Prüfungsergebnis anzufechten.
It is possible to challenge the exam result.
The meaning 'jemanden seelisch belasten' (to burden someone emotionally) is rare today and belongs in a literary or religious context. It is hardly used in everyday language.
Die Zweifel fochten ihn Tag und Nacht an.
Doubts troubled him day and night.
to call
Both verbs can be used in the context of a judicial review. You use anfechten for a decision when you legally challenge it; you use a court anrufen when you ask that court to make a decision. The object therefore determines the choice of word.
Nach dem Urteil focht die Klägerin die Entscheidung an.
After the verdict, the plaintiff challenged the decision.
Nach dem Urteil rief die Klägerin das zuständige Gericht an.
After the verdict, the plaintiff appealed to the responsible court.
