einjagen

Definition & meaning

The verb einjagen is most commonly used in specific German idioms to describe the act of causing a sudden, strong emotion in someone—usually fear or a fright. It translates most accurately to "to strike" (as in "to strike fear into") or "to give" (as in "to give someone a scare").

The most frequent phrases are:

• Jemandem Angst einjagen: To frighten someone or to strike fear into someone.
• Jemandem einen Schrecken einjagen: To give someone a scare or a fright.

While the literal sense of "driving something into something" exists in very niche technical contexts (like driving a bolt into a hole), in everyday modern German, it is almost exclusively used for these psychological effects.

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar:

• Type: Separable verb (trennbares Verb). In a main clause, the prefix ein- moves to the end of the sentence (e.g., "Du jagst mir Angst ein").
• Usage: It typically requires a dative object (the person being scared) and an accusative object (the fear or scare itself).

Word origin: The word is composed of two parts:

1. ein-: A prefix indicating inward movement or "into."
2. jagen↗: A verb meaning "to hunt," "to chase," or "to drive" at high speed.

The etymological idea is "to drive fear into someone" as if the emotion were being chased or forced into the person's mind.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

• erschrecken↗: To scare or startle.
• einschüchtern↗: To intimidate.
• ängstigen↗: To frighten or make someone anxious.
• schockieren↗: To shock.

Antonyms:

• beruhigen↗: To calm down.
• ermutigen↗: To encourage or embolden.
• trösten↗: To comfort.
• entwarnen↗: To give the all-clear or signal that danger is over.