Verb

ein|schlagen

to smash, to strike, to take (a path), to wrap

Der Blitz hat in den Baum eingeschlagen.

The lightning struck the tree.

Er schlug einen Nagel in die Wand ein.

He hammered a nail into the wall.

Wir sollten einen neuen Weg einschlagen.

We should take a new path.

Sie schlug das Geschenk in Papier ein.

She wrapped the present in paper.

((in+4)) to strike (in)to sth. The lightning struck the house.

((sth.)) ((in+4)) to hammer sth. into sth. He hammers a nail into the wall.

((sth.)) to take/choose a path She has taken a new career path.

((sth.)) ((in+4)) to wrap sth. in sth. I'm wrapping the book in gift paper.

treffen (to hit), hämmern (to hammer), einwickeln (to wrap)

From 'ein-' (in, into) and 'schlagen' (to hit, to strike). The core meaning is 'to strike into'.

The core idea of 'hitting into' applies to all meanings: a nail into a wall, lightning into the ground, a path into the future, a gift into paper.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.