wirken

have an effect

verb VIR-ken Common

Also means

seem

Usage Note

wirken has two key senses: to take effect (as a medicine does) and to come across or seem a certain way, as in sie wirkt müde ('she seems tired'). The related noun Wirkung means 'effect'. Do not confuse it with werken ('to do craftwork').

Examples

"Die Tablette wirkt schnell."

Natural Translation

The pill works quickly.

Literal Translation

The pill takes-effect quickly.

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