German Conversation · Level 98
53 words
German word
erpressen
Pronunciation
IPA/ɛɐ̯ˈprɛsən/
Meaning
- verbextort
Example
Die Bande erpresst ihn um Geld.
The gang is extorting money from him.
More examples
Die Firma wurde mit gestohlenen Daten erpresst.
The company was blackmailed using stolen data.
Core concept
Someone's secret or vulnerability becomes leverage that drives them to hand over money or comply.
Common phrases
jemanden moralisch erpressen
morally blackmail someone
ein Unternehmen mit Daten erpressen
blackmail a company using data
jemandem Informationen erpressen
extort information from someone
Similar words
bedrohen: Warning of harm to make someone feel afraid and obey.
unter Druck setzen: Driving someone into compliance through intense pressure.
nötigen: Compelling someone to act against their will through force or intimidation.
auspressen: Pressuring someone until money is handed over unwillingly.
Definition in German
jemanden durch Drohung oder Ausnutzung geheimer Informationen zwingen, Geld oder andere Zugeständnisse zu geben.
Word origin
The verb is formed from er- and pressen, with the basic idea of pressing someone until a result, such as compliance, is achieved.
Usage tips
- The usual pattern is jemanden um etwas erpressen, as in jemanden um Geld erpressen, with the person in the accusative and um taking the accusative.
Other meanings
- blackmailverb
- coerceverb
Related words
- Erpressungblackmailnoun
- Erpresserblackmailernoun
- erpressbarvulnerable to blackmailadjective