German word

Gewalt

Pronunciation

IPA/gəˈvalt/

Meaning

  • feminine nounviolence

Example

Die Opfer der Gewalt brauchen Hilfe.

Victims of violence need help.

Illustration for Gewalt (violence)

More examples

Die Stadt organisiert eine Kampagne gegen Gewalt.

The city is organizing a campaign against violence.

Core concept

A force that makes people submit, ranging from authority and control to threats or physical attack.

Common phrases

  • Opfer von Gewalt

    victims of violence

  • gegen Gewalt sein

    be against violence

  • Gewalt ausüben

    use violence

Similar words

Körperverletzung: Deliberately causing physical injury or pain to another person.
Misshandlung: Severe, repeated mistreatment that causes physical or emotional harm.
Übergriff: A one-sided attack or unwanted contact that crosses personal boundaries.
Zwang: Compelling someone to act against their wishes through force or threats.

Definition in German

Gewalt bezeichnet Handlungen, die durch körperliche Kraft, Drohung oder Zwang anderen Schaden zufügen oder sie unterdrücken.

Word origin

Gewalt comes from Old High German giwalt, related to walten, 'to rule'; its earlier sense of power or control later developed the sense of violent force.

Usage tips

  • The feminine noun takes the article die, and Gewalt is usually uncountable when it means violence.

Other meanings

  • powernoun
  • coercionnoun

Opposites

  • Friedenpeacenoun
  • Gewaltfreiheitnonviolencenoun

Related words

Word lists with this word