to drop in / interject / throw in
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to drop in
To throw something through an opening into a container or device, for example a letter into a mailbox or a coin into a machine.
Vergiss nicht, den Brief in den Briefkasten einzuwerfen.
Don't forget to drop the letter into the mailbox.
to interject
To bring a remark, question, or thought into an ongoing conversation or discussion.
Darf ich kurz einwerfen, dass wir diesen Punkt bereits besprochen haben?
May I briefly interject that we have already discussed this point?
to throw in
In sports, especially soccer or handball, to throw the ball back into the field of play from the sideline.
Nachdem der Ball im Aus war, musste der Spieler ihn schnell wieder einwerfen.
After the ball went out of play, the player had to quickly throw it back in.
to pop
Informal for quickly taking a tablet or pill.
Wegen der starken Kopfschmerzen hat er sich schnell eine Tablette eingeworfen.
Because of his severe headache, he quickly popped a tablet.
to smash
To destroy a windowpane by throwing something at it.
Unbekannte haben in der Nacht eine Scheibe am Rathaus eingeworfen.
Unknown individuals smashed a window at the town hall during the night.
'Einwerfen' is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'ein' goes at the end of the sentence. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Er wirft eine Münze in den Automaten ein.
He drops a coin into the machine.
The verb consists of the prefix 'ein-' (in, into) and the base verb 'werfen' (to throw). Most meanings can be derived from this literal idea of 'throwing something into something', including the metaphorical ones.
Bitte wirf den Schlüssel durch das offene Fenster ein.
Please throw the key in through the open window.
In its literal meaning, 'einwerfen' (to drop in) is often used with small objects that fit through an opening. Typical examples are: 'einen Brief einwerfen' (to drop in a letter), 'eine Münze einwerfen' (to insert a coin), or 'eine Postkarte einwerfen' (to drop in a postcard).
Um ein Getränk zu bekommen, musst du zuerst eine Münze einwerfen.
To get a drink, you first have to insert a coin.
In the figurative sense, you 'throw' a remark, question, or thought into a conversation. In German, this action is often described with 'kurz' (briefly) or 'schnell' (quickly).
Er warf in die Diskussion ein, dass das Budget nicht ausreichen würde.
He interjected in the discussion that the budget would not be enough.
The use of 'einwerfen' (to pop) for taking tablets is colloquial. It conveys the idea of a quick, almost casual action.
Er hat sich vor der Prüfung schnell noch eine Kopfschmerztablette eingeworfen.
Before the exam, he quickly popped another headache tablet.
In combination with 'Scheibe' (pane) or 'Fenster' (window), 'einwerfen' always means to destroy something. The object that is thrown, e.g. a stone, does not have to be mentioned.
Die Vandalen haben mehrere Fensterscheiben am Bahnhof eingeworfen.
The vandals smashed several windowpanes at the train station.
to take / earn / occupy
Einnehmen is the neutral term for taking a tablet and is also suitable for medical instructions. Einwerfen is colloquial and presents the same action as quick and casual. Einnehmen fits in factual situations; in relaxed everyday speech, einwerfen can be used.
Sie wirft vor dem Essen schnell eine Tablette ein.
She quickly pops a tablet before eating.
Sie nimmt vor dem Essen eine Tablette ein.
She takes a tablet before eating.
