to concern / to prosecute
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as for
A fixed expression that means “to concern” or “to be about.” It is used to introduce a topic or refer to it.
Was deine Frage belangt, so habe ich noch keine Antwort darauf.
As for your question, I don't have an answer to it yet.
to prosecute
To hold someone legally or judicially responsible, for example through a criminal charge or a lawsuit.
Der Täter konnte für die Straftat nicht mehr belangt werden, da sie bereits verjährt war.
The offender could no longer be prosecuted for the crime because it was already time-barred.
Both meanings of 'belangen' belong to a very formal, official, or written style. They are hardly ever used in everyday conversation.
Was die Finanzen belangt, ist alles in bester Ordnung.
As far as the finances are concerned, everything is in perfect order.
The phrase 'was ... belangt' (as for ... / as far as ... is concerned) is a fixed expression used to introduce a topic. The noun or pronoun in question stands in the accusative between 'was' and 'belangt'. The following main clause can begin with 'so'.
Was seine Pläne belangt, so hält er sich noch bedeckt.
As for his plans, he is still keeping quiet.
In the meaning 'zur Verantwortung ziehen' (to hold responsible), 'belangen' is used mainly in a judicial or legal context. The reason for the charge is often given with 'wegen' (+ genitive).
Das Unternehmen wurde wegen Steuerhinterziehung belangt.
The company was prosecuted for tax evasion.
to concern / affect
Both expressions can mark a topic as relevant to someone or something. „Betreffen“ is the usual, neutral verb, while „was ... belangt“ is a fixed and rather formal expression used to introduce a topic. Use „betreffen“ in a normal sentence and „was ... belangt“ when deliberately introducing a topic.
Was kleine Geschäfte belangt, ist die neue Regel besonders wichtig.
As for small businesses, the new rule is particularly important.
Die neue Regel betrifft vor allem kleine Geschäfte.
The new rule particularly affects small businesses.
