to take effect / bark / post
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to take effect
To become effective; to show a positive effect. Often used for therapies, medications, or measures.
Das neue Medikament hat bei dem Patienten sofort angeschlagen.
The new medication took effect immediately in the patient.
to bark
When a dog starts barking at a noise or a stranger.
Der Hund schlägt an, sobald sich jemand der Haustür nähert.
The dog barks as soon as someone approaches the front door.
to post
To put up information or a notice where it is publicly visible, for example on a board.
Die Ergebnisse der Prüfung werden morgen am Schwarzen Brett angeschlagen.
The exam results will be posted on the notice board tomorrow.
to strike / play
To hit something in order to produce a sound, for example a key on a piano or a string on a guitar.
Der Pianist schlug die ersten Akkorde an.
The pianist played the first chords.
to adopt a tone
To speak or write in a particular way; to choose a particular tone of communication.
Nach der Beschwerde schlug die Firma einen deutlich freundlicheren Ton an.
After the complaint, the company adopted a noticeably friendlier tone.
to estimate
To estimate or assess a value, price, or sum for something.
Die Kosten für die Renovierung wurden mit 20.000 Euro angeschlagen.
The cost of the renovation was estimated at 20,000 euros.
'Anschlagen' is a separable verb. The prefix 'an-' comes at the end in a main clause, stays attached to the verb in subordinate clauses, and in an infinitive with 'zu', 'zu' comes between the prefix and the verb.
Der Hund schlägt bei jedem Geräusch an.
The dog barks at every noise.
The meaning of 'anschlagen' depends strongly on the context. A medication 'schlägt an' (takes effect), a dog 'schlägt an' (barks), a note is 'angeschlagen' (posted), and a piano key is 'angeschlagen' (struck/played).
Die neue Diät schlägt bei mir gut an.
The new diet is working well for me.
In the meaning 'wirksam werden' (to take effect), 'anschlagen' is almost always used for medical treatments or general measures. The subject is the treatment itself, not the person.
Die Schmerzmittel haben nach 20 Minuten angeschlagen.
The painkillers took effect after 20 minutes.
When 'anschlagen' means barking, the subject is almost always a dog. This meaning is very specifically connected to this animal.
Die Hunde im Dorf schlagen an, wenn ein Auto vorbeifährt.
The dogs in the village bark when a car drives by.
The expression 'einen ... Ton anschlagen' (to adopt a ... tone) is fixed. Between 'einen' and 'Ton', there is usually an adjective that describes the type of communication.
Im Gespräch mit dem Kunden müssen Sie einen professionellen Ton anschlagen.
When speaking with the customer, you must adopt a professional tone.
When estimating costs or values, 'anschlagen' is often used in the passive with the preposition 'mit'. The structure is: 'etwas wird mit [Summe] angeschlagen' (something is estimated at [amount]).
Der Schaden am Auto wurde mit über 5.000 Euro angeschlagen.
The damage to the car was estimated at over 5,000 euros.
to seem / take effect
Wirken says generally that a medication, therapy, or measure has an effect. In this area, anschlagen is often used when a treatment becomes effective and shows its first positive results. Both are possible, but anschlagen places more emphasis on the beginning of the success.
Das neue Medikament schlägt bereits an, denn die Schmerzen werden geringer.
The new medication is already taking effect, as the pain is becoming less severe.
Das neue Medikament wirkt bereits und lindert die Schmerzen.
The new medication is already taking effect and is relieving the pain.
