anschnauzen

Meaning (in English)

„anschnauzen“ means to snap at someone / to bark at someone / to scold someone harshly, usually in an angry, rude, or impatient way. It implies speaking sharply, often raising one’s voice.

Typical idea: someone is being reprimanded abruptly and without kindness.

Parts / Word formation

• an- (prefix): can indicate directing an action toward someone (here: directing the harsh speech at a person)
• schnauzen: related to „Schnauze“ (“snout/muzzle”; colloquially also “mouth”), and by extension speaking in a rough, aggressive way

So the word has the feel of “using your ‘snout’ at someone,” i.e., speaking at them in a nasty, abrupt manner.

German synonyms

• jemanden anfahren (to snap at someone; common)
• jemanden anblaffen (to bark at someone)
• jemanden anbrüllen (to yell at someone)
• jemanden ankeifen (to snarl/snap at someone)
• jemanden zurechtweisen (to reprimand; more formal/less aggressive)
• jemanden schroff anreden (to address someone curtly)

German antonyms (opposites)

• jemanden freundlich ansprechen (to address someone kindly)
• jemanden höflich bitten (to ask politely)
• jemanden beruhigen (to calm someone down)
• jemanden loben (to praise someone)
• mit jemandem ruhig sprechen (to speak calmly with someone)

Notes on usage

• Strongly colloquial and emotionally negative.
• Often used when someone reacts impatiently or unfairly: „Er hat mich gleich angeschnauzt.“ (He immediately snapped at me.)