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.
to strain
To put heavy strain on something (e.g., the eyes, the brain) and thereby tire it out.
Das stundenlange Lesen am Bildschirm strengt meine Augen sehr an.
Reading on a screen for hours really strains my eyes.
to bring
To officially initiate a legal proceeding, such as a lawsuit or legal action.
Die Firma hat einen Prozess gegen ihren ehemaligen Mitarbeiter angestrengt.
The company brought a lawsuit against its former employee.
'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 burden / charge
Both words can describe something putting strain on the body or an organ. “Anstrengen” emphasizes tiring exertion, while “belasten” highlights a generally harmful or detrimental effect. “Anstrengen” is more suitable for a demanding effort, while “belasten” is more suitable for a harmful effect.
Die lange Bildschirmarbeit strengt meine Augen an.
Working at a screen for a long time strains my eyes.
Die schlechte Luft belastet meine Atemwege.
The poor air is putting a strain on my airways.
