01
aufzwingen
to force on
To force someone to accept, do, or agree to something against their will.
example
Er versuchte, mir seine Meinung aufzuzwingen, aber ich blieb bei meiner.
He tried to force his opinion on me, but I stuck to mine.
aufzwingen
to force on
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Aufzwingen' is a separable verb. The prefix 'auf-' goes at the end in a main clause. It is derived from 'zwingen' (to force), with 'auf-' emphasizing the direction 'onto someone'.
EXAMPLE
Ich lasse mir von niemandem eine Entscheidung aufzwingen.
I won't let anyone force a decision on me.
Dative and accusative object
This verb requires a fixed sentence structure: the person on whom something is forced is in the dative, and the thing that is forced on them is in the accusative. The pattern is: jemandem (Dativ) etwas (Akkusativ) aufzwingen.
EXAMPLE
Der Verkäufer wollte mir einen unnötigen Vertrag aufzwingen.
The salesperson wanted to force an unnecessary contract on me.
Reflexive use
In the reflexive form 'sich aufzwingen' (to impose itself), the logic is different: a thought or feeling is the subject, and the person having this thought is in the dative. The pattern is: Etwas (Nominativ) zwingt sich mir (Dativ) auf.
EXAMPLE
Der Verdacht, dass etwas nicht stimmte, zwang sich ihm einfach auf.
The suspicion that something was wrong simply imposed itself on him.
Compare with
aufzwingen vs zwingen
to force
'zwingen' and 'aufzwingen' both mean that someone is made to do something against their will. 'zwingen' is more general and fits many actions: working, signing, leaving, or staying silent. 'aufzwingen' is used especially when someone gives another person something, prescribes something to them, or presents something as correct, even though that person does not want it. Typical examples are rules, opinions, decisions, or help. The words can be confused because in both cases pressure is involved. As a simple guide: 'zwingen' often concerns an action, while 'aufzwingen' often concerns something that someone is supposed to accept or agree to.
aufzwingen
Felix will seinen Mitbewohnern seinen Musikgeschmack nicht aufzwingen.
Felix does not want to force his taste in music on his roommates.
zwingen
Die neue Regel zwingt alle Besucher, sich vorher anzumelden.
The new rule forces all visitors to register in advance.
In real life
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