to smash / take / strike
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to smash
To shatter something with a forceful blow or open it by force.
Die Feuerwehr musste eine Scheibe einschlagen, um in das brennende Haus zu gelangen.
The fire department had to smash a window to get into the burning house.
to take a path
To choose and pursue a particular direction, profession, or path in life.
Nach dem Abitur hat sie eine künstlerische Laufbahn eingeschlagen.
After finishing school, she took an artistic career path.
to strike
Refers to a natural event such as lightning or a meteorite that hits a place with great force.
Der Blitz ist nur wenige Meter neben dem Baum eingeschlagen.
The lightning struck just a few meters next to the tree.
to be a hit
Colloquial for having great success or becoming very popular.
Das neue Lied der Band ist in den Charts voll eingeschlagen.
The band's new song has been a huge hit in the charts.
to shake on it
To slap one's hand into another person's hand to seal an agreement.
„Abgemacht?“, fragte er und streckte die Hand aus, damit ich einschlagen konnte.
"Deal?" he asked and held out his hand so I could shake on it.
to wrap
To wrap something in paper, cloth, or another material in order to protect or package it.
Sie schlug das zerbrechliche Glas sorgfältig in Zeitungspapier ein.
She carefully wrapped the fragile glass in newspaper.
'Einschlagen' is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'ein' comes at the end. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Er schlug den Nagel mit einem Hammer ein.
He drove the nail in with a hammer.
The verb is made up of 'ein' and 'schlagen' (to hit/strike). The prefix 'ein' often means 'into'. This logic is visible in meanings like 'eine Scheibe einschlagen' (to smash in a pane/window) or 'etwas in Papier einschlagen' (to wrap something in paper; literally, into the paper).
Er schlug das zerbrechliche Geschenk in Seidenpapier ein.
He wrapped the fragile gift in tissue paper.
Careful: the auxiliary verb in the perfect tense changes depending on the meaning! When 'einschlagen' describes movement or a sudden change (as with lightning or success), 'sein' is used. In most other cases (smashing something, wrapping something), 'haben' is used.
Der neue Roman ist bei den Lesern sofort eingeschlagen.
The new novel was an immediate hit with readers.
In the figurative meaning of choosing a path in life, 'einschlagen' is almost always combined with an abstract noun. Typical phrases are 'einen Weg einschlagen' (to take a path), 'eine Richtung einschlagen' (to take a direction), or 'eine Laufbahn einschlagen' (to pursue a career).
Nach der Schule möchte er eine akademische Laufbahn einschlagen.
After school, he would like to pursue an academic career.
When 'einschlagen' is used in the context of nature or weather, it almost always means 'auftreffen' (to hit/strike). The subject is then typically 'der Blitz' (lightning), 'ein Meteorit' (a meteorite), or 'eine Bombe' (a bomb).
Während des Gewitters ist ein Blitz in den Kirchturm eingeschlagen.
During the thunderstorm, lightning struck the church tower.
The meaning 'to be successful' is colloquial. It is often used with adverbs like 'voll' (completely/totally) or 'total' (totally) to emphasize the strength of the success.
Seine Idee ist bei den Investoren voll eingeschlagen.
His idea was a huge hit with the investors.
When used for wrapping, the verb follows the pattern: 'etwas (Akkusativ) in etwas (Akkusativ) einschlagen' (to wrap something in something). The first object is the item, the second is the packaging material.
Die Verkäuferin schlug die Blumen in Papier ein.
The saleswoman wrapped the flowers in paper.
to arrive
Ankommen generally describes how positively something is received by an audience. Einschlagen is colloquial and emphasizes particularly great, often rapid success. A song can therefore come across well; for an immediate, exceptional success, einschlagen is the better choice.
Das neue Lied schlug beim Publikum sofort ein.
The new song was an instant hit with the audience.
Das neue Lied kommt beim Publikum gut an.
The new song is well received by the audience.
