to impose / cover
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to impose
To order or enforce an official, usually negative measure, such as a penalty, a state of emergency, or a ban.
Das Gericht verhängte eine hohe Geldstrafe gegen das Unternehmen.
The court imposed a heavy fine on the company.
to cover
To cover something by hanging something over it, for example a curtain in front of a window.
Sie verhängte die Fenster mit schweren Vorhängen, um das Zimmer abzudunkeln.
She covered the windows with heavy curtains to darken the room.
'Verhängen' (to impose / cover) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'ver-' remains firmly attached to the verb stem 'hängen' (to hang) in all sentence forms and tenses.
Die Regierung hat eine Ausgangssperre verhängt.
The government imposed a curfew.
The direct object reveals the meaning. If it is an official measure (penalty, sanction, ban), meaning m01 is meant. If it is an object that can be covered (window, mirror), meaning m02 is meant.
Gegen den Fahrer wurde ein Fahrverbot verhängt.
A driving ban was imposed on the driver.
This meaning is used almost only for official, negative measures. Typical objects are: 'eine Strafe verhängen' (to impose a penalty), 'ein Bußgeld verhängen' (to impose a fine), 'Sanktionen verhängen' (to impose sanctions), 'ein Embargo verhängen' (to impose an embargo), or 'den Ausnahmezustand verhängen' (to impose a state of emergency).
Wegen der Dürre wurde über die Region der Notstand verhängt.
Because of the drought, a state of emergency was imposed over the region.
If you want to specify against whom a measure is directed, the preposition 'über' with the accusative is used. The subject is always an authority such as a court or a government.
Das Gericht verhängte eine Bewährungsstrafe über den Angeklagten.
The court imposed a suspended sentence on the defendant.
If you want to say what something is covered with, you use the preposition 'mit' (with). The structure is: [object] mit [material] verhängen.
Sie hat die Fenster mit dicken Decken verhängt, um die Kälte abzuhalten.
She covered the windows with thick blankets to keep out the cold.
to book / prove / top
Belegen and verhängen can both express the imposition of an official penalty. Verhängen emphasizes ordering the measure, while belegen is used in the fixed construction „jemanden mit einer Strafe belegen“ (to impose a penalty on someone). When focusing on the authority’s decision, verhängen is usually appropriate; with belegen, the person affected is in the foreground.
Das Gericht verhängte gegen den Fahrer eine hohe Geldstrafe.
The court imposed a heavy fine on the driver.
Das Gericht belegte den Fahrer mit einer hohen Geldstrafe.
The court imposed a heavy fine on the driver.
