01
schlagen
to hit
To violently strike someone or something with your hand, an object, or through a quick movement.
example
Der Boxer schlug seinen Gegner k.o.
The boxer knocked out his opponent.
schlagen
to hit / beat
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'schlagen' (to hit/beat) is closely connected to the noun 'der Schlag' (hit, blow). A single act of hitting is 'ein Schlag' (a hit/blow).
EXAMPLE
Der Schlag des Boxers war sehr hart.
The boxer's blow was very hard.
Use with/without object
'Schlagen' (to hit/beat) can be used with an accusative object (to hit someone/something). But it can also stand without an object when it describes a rhythmic movement.
EXAMPLE
Er schlug wütend auf den Tisch.
He angrily hit the table.
Competition context clue
When 'schlagen' (to beat) is used in the context of sports, games, or competitions, it means 'besiegen' (to defeat). Watch for words like 'Gegner' (opponent), 'Mannschaft' (team), or 'Rekord' (record).
EXAMPLE
Unsere Mannschaft hat den Favoriten geschlagen.
Our team beat the favorite.
Typical collocations
In the context of cooking and baking, 'schlagen' (to beat/whip) is almost always used with 'Sahne' (cream) or 'Eiweiß' (egg whites). It often states what the result should be: 'steif schlagen' (to beat until stiff) or 'schaumig schlagen' (to beat until foamy).
EXAMPLE
Für die Torte muss die Sahne steif geschlagen werden.
For the cake, the cream has to be whipped until stiff.
Reflexive verb
In the meaning 'sich bewähren' (to prove oneself) or 'eine Leistung zeigen' (to perform), 'schlagen' is used reflexively. The reflexive pronoun ('sich') must match the subject.
EXAMPLE
Ich finde, du hast dich bei der Prüfung sehr gut geschlagen.
I think you did very well on the exam.
Fixed expression
The expression 'Alarm schlagen' (to raise the alarm) is a fixed combination and means 'warnen' (to warn) or 'auf eine Gefahr aufmerksam machen' (to draw attention to a danger). 'Alarm' is the fixed object here.
EXAMPLE
Die Wissenschaftler schlagen wegen des Klimawandels Alarm.
The scientists are raising the alarm because of climate change.
Fixed expression
'Wurzeln schlagen' (to put down roots) is a fixed expression. It can be used literally for plants or figuratively for people who become at home in a new place.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Umzug hat unsere Familie in der neuen Stadt schnell Wurzeln geschlagen.
After the move, our family quickly put down roots in the new city.
Compare with
schlagen vs treffen
to meet / to hit
'treffen' and 'schlagen' can both have to do with contact through a quick movement. 'treffen' emphasizes that a target is reached, for example with a ball, arrow, or shot. It does not necessarily say how strong or violent the movement is. 'schlagen' emphasizes the action itself: someone or something is hit violently with the hand, an object, or a quick movement. Learners may confuse the words because when you hit someone or something with 'schlagen', you often also reach a target. In practical terms: 'treffen' is more about asking, 'Did you hit the target?', while 'schlagen' is more about asking, 'Did you strike it with force?'
schlagen
Das Kind schlug mit dem Stock gegen den alten Baum.
The child hit the old tree with the stick.
treffen
Beim Training traf Max den Ball genau in die Ecke.
During training, Max hit the ball right into the corner.
In real life
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