German word

anstrengen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈanˌʃtʁɛŋən/

Meaning

  • verbmake an effort

Example

Ich strenge mich an, um die Prüfung zu bestehen.

I am making an effort to pass the exam.

Illustration for anstrengen (make an effort)

More examples

Wir sollten uns nicht zu sehr anstrengen.

We should not overexert ourselves.

Core concept

A body under deliberate strain keeps working toward a difficult goal, while the same strain can leave it tired.

Common phrases

  • sich bis zur Erschöpfung anstrengen

    exert oneself to the point of exhaustion

  • sich kaum anstrengen

    hardly make an effort

Similar words

sich bemühen: To apply care and effort in pursuing a desired result.
versuchen: To try doing something in order to achieve a particular result.
üben: To train through repeated practice to develop a skill.
sich abmühen: To struggle through a task while using considerable effort.

Definition in German

Sich bemühen und hart arbeiten, meist reflexiv 'sich anstrengen', manchmal auch im Sinne von 'ermüden'.

Word origin

Anstrengen is formed from an- and strengen, a verb associated with streng 'tight'; its concrete sense of putting under strain developed into exerting or tiring someone.

Usage tips

  • In Das strengt mich an, the nonreflexive verb means that something tires or burdens me, and the affected person is in the accusative case.

Other meanings

  • tireverb
  • overexert oneselfverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word