Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| schlagen | /ˈʃlaːɡŋ̩/ /ˈʃlaːɡn̩/ |
| treffen | /ˈtʁɛfən/ |
| stoßen | /ˈʃtoːsn̩/ /ˈʃtoːsən/ |
The German language uses different words to express the concept of hitting based on the nature of the action. Use schlagen when you are talking about administering a physical blow or the act of striking. If you are referring to a collision or a crash, the formal term for the resulting impact is Aufprall. In a colloquial context, specifically regarding music or entertainment, a 'hit' or a 'banger' is referred to as a Knaller. Other related terms include Hit for translations of the name and Anschlag for an attack on a location.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on how the hit occurs. Use schlagen when the focus is on the act of striking or the physical blow itself. Use treffen when the focus is on successfully hitting a target or making contact with a specific point. Use stoßen when the hit is a sudden push, a bump or a jolt rather than a strike.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Each form has its own past participle. The past participle of schlagen is geschlagen, the past participle of treffen is getroffen and the past participle of stoßen is gestoßen.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʃlaːɡŋ̩/
Did you know?
- In German, the word treffen is used not just for hitting a target, but also as the primary way to say 'to meet' a person.
- The word stoßen shares an ancient root with the Sanskrit word tudáti which means to strike or goad.
- The verb 'schlagen' has a hidden spelling quirk where the letter 'g' is only added in the modern infinitive to match its past forms. This is an example of 'Grammatischer Wechsel' or grammatical alternation.
Examples in context
- Er wollte mich schlagen!He was going to hit me!This sentence is useful for expressing an intention to hit someone using schlagen.Tatoeba #12334548 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #5984768 by Hybrid
- Ich sah Tom Maria schlagen.I saw Tom hit Mary.This sentence is useful for describing witnessing someone hit another person using schlagen.Tatoeba #7335578 by Yorwba, translation #1030122 by CK
- Du musst die Tontaube treffen.You need to hit the clay pigeon.This sentence is useful for expressing the need to hit a specific target using treffen.Tatoeba #2226475 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2156252 by Hybrid
- Er erhielt einen harten Schlag ins Gesicht.He received a hard hit in the face.
- Das Auto erlitt einen heftigen Aufprall.The car suffered a heavy impact.
- Dieses Lied war ein großer Knaller.This song was a big hit.
- Der Film wurde ein internationaler Knaller.The movie became an international hit.
- Gib ihm einen leichten Klaps auf die Schulter.Give him a gentle tap on the shoulder.
- Der Boxer versetzte seinem Gegner einen harten Hieb.The boxer delivered a hard hit to his opponent.
- Er traf den Ball mit einem präzisen Hieb.He hit the ball with a precise stroke.
- 35 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Laura and Julian are talking about a fight they saw.
- LauraHast du gesehen, wie er ihn schlagen wollte?Did you see how he wanted to hit him?
- JulianJa, aber er hat ihn nicht geschlagen.Yes, but he didn't hit him.
- LauraEs war wirklich eine gefährliche Situation.It was really a dangerous situation.
- JulianStimmt, zum Glück ist nichts passiert.True, luckily nothing happened.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hit” translations and entries schlagen, treffen, stoßen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries schlagen, stoßen, treffen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
