to make an effort / strain
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to make an effort
To make a physical or mental effort in order to reach a goal or manage a task.
Wenn du die Prüfung bestehen willst, musst du dich mehr anstrengen.
If you want to pass the exam, you have to make more of an effort.
'Anstrengen' (to strain / to make an effort) is a separable verb. In main clauses, the prefix 'an-' separates and stands at the end of the sentence. In subordinate clauses or in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Das lange Meeting strengt mich sehr an.
The long meeting really strains me.
The use of the verb changes the meaning. 'Sich anstrengen' means that a person makes an effort. 'Etwas strengt jemanden an' means that an activity or thing is tiring for a person.
Ich strenge mich an, um Deutsch zu lernen.
I make an effort to learn German.
When something is put under heavy strain, it is often a body part or a mental ability. Typical objects are 'die Augen' (the eyes), 'das Gehirn' (the brain), 'das Gedächtnis' (the memory), or 'die Muskeln' (the muscles).
Du solltest nicht so lange am Handy lesen, das strengt die Augen an.
You shouldn't read on your phone for so long; it strains the eyes.
In the meaning 'to initiate', 'anstrengen' is used almost exclusively in legal language. It is always used with an accusative object such as 'einen Prozess' (a lawsuit), 'eine Klage' (a legal action), or 'ein Verfahren' (a proceeding).
Wegen des Schadens will er nun eine Klage anstrengen.
Because of the damage, he now wants to bring legal action.
to raise / levy
'erheben' and 'anstrengen' can be similar in legal contexts. For example, you can 'eine Klage erheben' (bring/file a lawsuit) or 'einen Prozess anstrengen' (bring legal proceedings). 'erheben' is especially suitable when you officially bring forward a claim, an accusation, an objection, or a lawsuit. 'anstrengen' here means to initiate legal proceedings. It sounds formal and occurs almost only in such fixed combinations. The words can be confused because both describe the beginning of an official legal step.
Herr Krüger strengt nach dem Streit mit der Firma einen Prozess an.
After the dispute with the company, Mr. Krüger brings legal proceedings.
Der Mieter erhebt Einspruch gegen die hohe Nebenkostenabrechnung.
The tenant raises an objection to the high utility bill.