condensation / fitting
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condensation
A thin layer of condensed liquid, usually water or ice, that forms on a cooler surface.
Im Winter hatte er morgens immer Beschlag auf der Innenseite der Autoscheiben.
In winter, he always had condensation on the inside of the car windows in the morning.
fittings
Functional or decorative metal parts attached to furniture, doors, or windows, such as hinges, handles, or locks.
Die alte Truhe hatte kunstvoll verzierte Beschläge aus Messing.
The old chest had elaborately decorated brass fittings.
to take up / seize
To officially confiscate something, or to fully occupy and take up a person or thing.
Die Vorbereitungen für die Konferenz nahmen ihn die letzten Wochen völlig in Beschlag.
The preparations for the conference completely took up his time over the last few weeks.
horseshoe
The horseshoes that are nailed onto a horse to protect its hooves.
Das Pferd hat beim Ausritt einen Beschlag verloren und musste zurück zum Stall geführt werden.
The horse lost a horseshoe during the ride and had to be led back to the stable.
All meanings of 'der Beschlag' are connected with the verb 'beschlagen'. A window pane can 'beschlagen' (fog up with condensation), you can 'beschlagen' a door with metal (decorate or fit it with metal parts), and a blacksmith can 'beschlagen' a horse (shoe it).
Nach dem Duschen ist der Spiegel im Bad immer beschlagen.
After showering, the bathroom mirror is always fogged up.
The meaning 'to take up' or 'to confiscate' exists only in the fixed expression 'jemanden/etwas in Beschlag nehmen' (to take up someone/something; to seize someone/something). The subject of the sentence is the person or thing that causes the occupation or use.
Die Organisation des Festes hat meine ganze Freizeit in Beschlag genommen.
Organizing the party took up all my free time.
In this meaning, 'Beschlag' (condensation) is always a thin layer of moisture. Typical contexts are windows, mirrors, or glasses that come from a cold environment into a warm one.
Wegen des Beschlags auf der Brille konnte ich nichts sehen.
Because of the condensation on my glasses, I couldn't see anything.
When 'Beschläge' is mentioned, it usually means metal parts on furniture, doors, or boxes. The material is often mentioned as well, e.g. 'Beschläge aus Eisen' (iron fittings).
Der Tischler montierte die neuen Beschläge an den Küchenschränken.
The carpenter installed the new fittings on the kitchen cabinets.
This special meaning is used only in connection with horses and their hooves. Another word for it is 'Hufeisen' (horseshoe).
Der Schmied prüfte den Beschlag des Pferdes.
The blacksmith checked the horse's shoeing.
topping / covering
Belag and Beschlag can both refer to a visible layer on a surface. Belag is the general term for a layer lying on or forming on something, while Beschlag refers to a thin layer of condensed liquid or ice. Use Beschlag for moisture or ice and Belag in the other suitable cases.
Wegen der warmen Luft bildete sich Beschlag auf dem kalten Fenster.
Because of the warm air, condensation formed on the cold window.
Der Belag auf den Zähnen sollte regelmäßig entfernt werden.
The coating on the teeth should be removed regularly.
