zuschlagen
to strike
To hit something or someone with great force.
EXAMPLE
Der Einbrecher schlug mit der Faust zu, als er entdeckt wurde.
The burglar struck with his fist when he was discovered.
zuschlagen
to strike / slam shut / snap up
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Meanings
zuschlagen
to slam shut
To close something, such as a door or a book, forcefully and noisily.
EXAMPLE
Er schlug die Tür wütend hinter sich zu.
He angrily slammed the door shut behind him.
zuschlagen
to snap up
Colloquial for taking the opportunity to buy something, especially when it is a good deal.
EXAMPLE
Die Jacke ist 50% reduziert, da musst du einfach zuschlagen!
The jacket is reduced by 50%; you simply have to snap it up!
zuschlagen
to knock down
At an auction, to confirm the sale to the highest bidder with a strike of the hammer.
EXAMPLE
Das Gemälde wurde dem Bieter mit der Nummer 47 für eine Million Euro zugeschlagen.
The painting was knocked down to bidder number 47 for one million euros.
zuschlagen
to add on
To add an additional amount to a price or bill.
EXAMPLE
Auf den Nettopreis wird noch die Mehrwertsteuer zugeschlagen.
VAT is still added on to the net price.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Zuschlagen' is a separable verb. The prefix 'zu' comes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Er schlug die Autotür laut zu.
He slammed the car door shut loudly.
Context clue
To recognize the meaning 'to close something noisily', pay attention to an accusative object. If an object such as 'die Tür' (the door) or 'das Buch' (the book) is present, this meaning is intended, not hitting a person.
EXAMPLE
Sie schlug wütend den Laptop zu.
She angrily slammed the laptop shut.
Colloquial use
In the meaning 'to take a buying opportunity', 'zuschlagen' (to snap up) is colloquial. It is typically used when talking about discounts, special offers, or bargains.
EXAMPLE
Bei diesem Preis für das Smartphone musste ich einfach zuschlagen.
At this price for the smartphone, I simply had to snap it up.
Sentence structure at auctions
In the context of an auction, a special structure is used: the person who receives the winning bid is in the dative, and the auctioned item is in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Der Auktionator schlug dem Sammler das seltene Buch zu.
The auctioneer knocked the rare book down to the collector.
Sentence structure with prices
When an amount is added to a price, it often appears with the preposition 'auf' and the accusative. This construction is also frequently used in the passive.
EXAMPLE
Auf den Grundpreis wird eine Servicegebühr zugeschlagen.
A service fee is added on to the base price.
Compare with
zuschlagen vs zugreifen
to help oneself / access / arrest
Both words can express taking advantage of a good buying opportunity. zugreifen is generally suitable for this, while zuschlagen sounds colloquial and often emphasizes making a quick, decisive choice when something is a good deal.
zuschlagen
Bei diesem günstigen Angebot solltest du schnell zuschlagen.
You should snap up this great deal quickly.
zugreifen
Bei diesem günstigen Angebot sollten Sie schnell zugreifen.
You should snap up this great deal quickly.
In real life
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