die Agitation
agitation
The deliberate, often aggressive influencing of public opinion for or against a political cause.
EXAMPLE
Die politische Agitation vor der Wahl nahm stark zu.
Political agitation before the election increased sharply.
die Agitation
agitation
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Meanings
die Agitation
agitation
In medicine, a state of strong restlessness, nervous excitement, and urge to move in a patient.
EXAMPLE
Der Patient zeigte deutliche Symptome von Agitation und konnte nicht stillsitzen.
The patient showed clear symptoms of agitation and could not sit still.
Usage tips
Word family
'Agitation' belongs to the word family of the verb 'agitieren' (to agitate). The ending '-tion' is typical of nouns derived from verbs of Latin origin and describing a process or result.
EXAMPLE
Er agitiert seit Jahren gegen die Regierung.
He has been agitating against the government for years.
Context clues
You can recognize the meaning from the context. In a political or social context, it is about influencing people, often with words like 'politisch' (political) or 'Partei' (party). In a medical context, it describes a state of restlessness, often with words like 'Patient' (patient) or 'Symptom' (symptom).
EXAMPLE
Die Partei wurde für ihre aggressive Agitation kritisiert.
The party was criticized for its aggressive agitation.
Register
Both meanings of the word are used mainly in formal or technical contexts. It is rather rare in everyday language.
EXAMPLE
Der Fachartikel beschreibt die Ursachen von Agitation bei Demenz.
The specialist article describes the causes of agitation in dementia.
Typical collocations
In a political context, 'Agitation' (agitation) is often used with the verb 'betreiben' (to engage in/carry out). For example, people speak of 'politische Agitation zu betreiben' (engaging in political agitation).
EXAMPLE
Die Gruppe betrieb im Internet gezielt Agitation.
The group deliberately carried out agitation online.
Compare with
Agitation vs Propaganda
propaganda
Propaganda and Agitation often deliberately influence public opinion for political purposes. Propaganda tends to spread systematically prepared, one-sided messages, while Agitation focuses more strongly on immediate incitement and mobilization. When talking about planned content or media, Propaganda is the appropriate term; for active incitement, Agitation is more suitable.
Agitation
Die Agitation der Aktivisten sollte die Menge sofort zu Protesten mobilisieren.
The activists' agitation was intended to mobilize the crowd to protest immediately.
Propaganda
Die Propaganda der Partei verbreitete ihre einseitigen Botschaften über Plakate und soziale Medien.
The party's propaganda spread its one-sided messages through posters and social media.
In real life
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