German Conversation · Level 20
90 words
German word
schlagen
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈʃlaːgən/
Meaning
- verbhit
Example
Ich schlage den Ball.
I hit the ball.
More examples
Im Spiel konnte sie den Gegner schlagen.
In the game, she was able to defeat the opponent.
Core concept
A forceful impact that can land once or keep repeating, from a hand hitting a ball to a heart beating or a player overcoming an opponent.
Common phrases
jemanden schlagen
hit someone
einen Gegner schlagen
defeat an opponent
Similar words
treffen: To make contact with a targeted person or place.
klopfen: To tap a door or surface lightly to make a sound or signal.
hauen: To strike someone or something with strong force.
besiegen: To defeat an opponent in a contest or conflict.
Definition in German
Etwas physisch treffen oder wiederholt schlagen; bildlich: in Spiel oder Wettkampf jemanden besiegen; außerdem das Schlagen von Organen wie dem Herzen ausdrücken.
Word origin
German schlagen is an inherited Germanic verb, recorded in Old High German as slahan and related to English slay.
Usage tips
- Schlagen is irregular, with the principal parts schlagen, schlug, geschlagen and the present form schlägt for the third-person singular.