German word

Anschlag

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈanʃlaːk/

Meaning

  • masculine nounattack

Example

Es gab einen Anschlag auf den Bahnhof.

There was an attack on the train station.

Illustration for Anschlag (attack)

More examples

Bei einem Anschlag in der Stadt wurden mehrere Straßen gesperrt.

Several streets were blocked during an attack in the city.

Core concept

Something deliberately put against a target, whether as a violent act or public display.

Common phrases

  • einen Anschlag auf

    an attack on

  • bei einem Anschlag

    during an attack

  • Opfer eines Anschlags

    victim of an attack

Similar words

Angriff: An attack directed at an opponent or target.
Attacke: A sudden, forceful attack, often involving physical violence.
Überfall: A sudden raid to rob or assault someone.
Attentat: A politically motivated attack aimed at killing a prominent person.

Definition in German

Ein meist schwerwiegender Angriff, oft in Komposita wie Terroranschlag oder Bombenanschlag, gebräuchlich in Nachrichten- und Behördenkontexten.

Word origin

Anschlag developed from anschlagen, "to strike against" or "to attach," and later covered both violent acts and notices attached for public viewing.

Usage tips

  • In news and official contexts, Anschlag usually sounds more formal and serious than the everyday words Attacke or Angriff.

Other meanings

  • posternoun
  • announcementnoun

Opposites

  • Friedenpeacenoun
  • Deeskalationde-escalationnoun

Related words

  • Anschlagsdrohungthreat of an attacknoun
  • Anschlagsserieseries of attacksnoun

Word lists with this word