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.
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
'betreffen' and 'belangen' can be very similar in the expression 'was ... belangt' (as for ...). Both show that you are talking about a particular topic or referring to it. 'betreffen' is more flexible and much more common in everyday language: a rule, message, or decision can affect someone. In this meaning, 'belangen' is mainly used in fixed sentences like 'Was die Kosten belangt, ...' (As for the costs, ...). Learners may confuse the words because here they mean almost the same thing. The form is important: 'belangen' sounds somewhat more formal in this expression and is not used everywhere like 'betreffen'.
Was den Termin belangt, warten wir noch auf eine Antwort.
As for the appointment, we are still waiting for a response.
Die Entscheidung betrifft auch die Mieter im zweiten Stock.
The decision also affects the tenants on the second floor.