German Conversation · Level 28
90 words
German word
Exil
Pronunciation
IPA/ɛkˈsiːl/
Meaning
- neuter nounexile
Example
Er lebt seit Jahren im Exil.
He has been living in exile for years.
More examples
Viele Schriftsteller veröffentlichten im Exil weiterhin auf Deutsch.
Many writers continued to publish in German while in exile.
Core concept
A person continues life abroad while a homeland remains unsafe or inaccessible.
Common phrases
aus dem Exil schreiben
write from exile
langjähriges Exil
years-long exile
ins Exil treiben
drive into exile
Similar words
Asyl: A legal process of seeking protection in another country, or the protection status granted.
Flüchtling: Someone who flees their country because war or persecution makes safety there impossible.
Verbannung: Forced expulsion from a country ordered by those in power as a punishment.
Auswanderung: Relocating from one's country to live in another for work, livelihood, or other reasons.
Definition in German
die Situation, dass jemand aus politischen oder sicherheitsbedingten Gründen nicht im Heimatland leben kann und deshalb im Ausland lebt
Word origin
German Exil comes from Latin exilium via French exil, whose older meaning included banishment or forced removal from one's homeland.
Usage tips
- The usual phrases are 'ins Exil gehen' and 'im Exil leben', with in taking the accusative in the first phrase and the dative in the second.