challenge / temptation
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legal challenge
A legal action by which the validity of a decision, contract, or will is contested, with the aim of having it declared invalid.
Die Anfechtung des Wahlergebnisses wurde vom Gericht abgewiesen.
The legal challenge to the election result was dismissed by the court.
temptation / inner struggle
A strong temptation or a phase of profound emotional or spiritual doubt and inner struggles. This term is often used in a religious or psychological context.
In seinen Briefen schrieb der Mönch von seinen täglichen Anfechtungen.
In his letters, the monk wrote about his daily temptations.
'Die Anfechtung' (challenge, temptation) comes from the verb 'anfechten'. This literally means to 'fight' (fechten) against something. So you either fight legally against a decision or internally against a doubt.
Die Opposition ficht das Wahlergebnis an.
The opposition is challenging the election result.
You can recognize the meaning from the context. Words like 'Gericht' (court), 'Vertrag' (contract), 'Wahl' (election), or 'Testament' (will) point to the legal meaning. Words like 'Glaube' (faith), 'Zweifel' (doubt), 'Seele' (soul), or 'Versuchung' (temptation) point to the emotional or spiritual meaning.
Die Anfechtung des Vertrags war erfolgreich.
The legal challenge to the contract was successful.
In a legal context, an 'Anfechtung' (legal challenge) is often 'eingelegt' (filed/lodged) or 'erhoben' (raised/brought). A court can 'abweisen' (dismiss) an 'Anfechtung' or 'ihr stattgeben' (uphold it). The object of 'Anfechtung' is usually in the genitive.
Gegen das Urteil wurde Anfechtung eingelegt.
A legal challenge was filed against the judgment.
The meaning 'seelischer Zweifel' (emotional/spiritual doubt) belongs to an elevated, often religious or philosophical style. In normal everyday speech, this term is rarely used.
In seiner Autobiografie schreibt er über die Anfechtungen seiner Jugend.
In his autobiography, he writes about the inner struggles of his youth.
contradiction / objection
Widerspruch is the formal rejection of a decision or resolution. Anfechtung goes further: it disputes the validity of a decision, contract, or will and seeks to have it declared invalid. Therefore, you file a Widerspruch against a decision when you reject it, and use an Anfechtung to have it declared invalid.
Mit der Anfechtung des Vertrags wollte er dessen Gültigkeit bestreiten und ihn für ungültig erklären lassen.
By challenging the contract, he wanted to dispute its validity and have it declared invalid.
Gegen den Bescheid legte sie Widerspruch ein, weil sie mit der Entscheidung nicht einverstanden war.
She filed an objection to the notice because she disagreed with the decision.
