defense
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defense
In sports, the part of a team whose main task is to prevent the opponent’s attacks and defend its own goal.
Die Abwehr unserer Fußballmannschaft hat heute sehr gut gespielt.
The defense of our soccer team played very well today.
defense
Defense against an attack, a danger, or a harmful influence.
Die Soldaten übten die Abwehr eines überraschenden Angriffs.
The soldiers practiced the defense against a surprise attack.
immune defense
In biology and medicine, the body’s ability to recognize and fight pathogens such as viruses and bacteria; the immune system.
Eine gesunde Ernährung stärkt die körpereigene Abwehr.
A healthy diet strengthens the body’s own immune defense.
defense
In psychology, an unconscious reaction used to protect oneself from unpleasant feelings, thoughts, or conflicts.
Seine ständige Ironie ist nur eine Form der Abwehr, um seine Unsicherheit zu verbergen.
His constant irony is only a form of defense to hide his insecurity.
'Die Abwehr' (defense) belongs to the verb 'abwehren' (to fend off/repel). This verb means to actively push back an attack or a danger. The basic meaning of protecting and defending is present in all uses of the noun.
Die Burg wurde gebaut, um Feinde abwehren zu können.
The castle was built so that enemies could be fended off.
The context makes the meaning of 'Abwehr' (defense) clear. Words like 'Mannschaft' (team) or 'Tor' (goal) point to sports. Terms like 'Körper' (body), 'Viren' (viruses), or 'stärken' (to strengthen) point to the medical meaning (immune system).
Die Abwehr des Teams war heute unüberwindbar.
The team’s defense was unbeatable today.
In a sports context, 'Abwehr' (defense) is often combined with certain verbs and adjectives. Common phrases are 'in der Abwehr spielen' (to play in defense), 'eine starke/schwache Abwehr haben' (to have a strong/weak defense), or 'die Abwehr durchbrechen' (to break through the defense).
Der Stürmer konnte die gegnerische Abwehr leicht überwinden.
The striker was able to get past the opposing defense easily.
In the medical sense, people often speak of the 'körpereigene Abwehr' (the body’s own immune defense) or the 'Abwehrkräfte' (immune defenses). Typical verbs are 'stärken' (to strengthen) or 'schwächen' (to weaken).
Stress kann die Abwehrkräfte des Körpers schwächen.
Stress can weaken the body’s immune defenses.
The psychological meaning of 'Abwehr' (defense) as a protective mechanism is technical language. In everyday life, this term is usually only used when people are specifically talking about psychological topics.
In der Therapie lernte er, seine psychologischen Abwehrmechanismen zu verstehen.
In therapy, he learned to understand his psychological defense mechanisms.
protection
Schutz and Abwehr are both directed against dangers. Schutz emphasizes keeping someone or something safe from the effects of a danger; Abwehr emphasizes actively fighting or pushing back the danger. Use Schutz for a barrier and Abwehr for active intervention.
Die Feuerwehr setzt zusätzliche Kräfte zur Abwehr der Flammen ein.
The fire department is deploying additional crews to fight the flames.
Eine breite Schneise bietet dem Dorf Schutz vor den Flammen.
A wide firebreak protects the village from the flames.
