exploitation
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exploitation
The unfair use of a person's labor or difficult situation for one's own advantage.
Die Ausbeutung von Arbeitern in manchen Ländern ist ein großes Problem.
The exploitation of workers in some countries is a major problem.
exploitation
The intensive use and extraction of natural resources such as raw materials or mineral resources.
Die rücksichtslose Ausbeutung der Wälder führt zur Zerstörung des Lebensraums vieler Tiere.
The ruthless exploitation of forests leads to the destruction of the habitat of many animals.
The word is derived from the verb 'ausbeuten' (to exploit). It contains 'aus' (out) and 'Beute' (prey/loot). The basic idea is to use something or someone like prey to the fullest for oneself.
Die Firma wurde wegen der Ausbeutung ihrer Mitarbeiter kritisiert.
The company was criticized for the exploitation of its employees.
'Ausbeutung' (exploitation) is never neutral. The word always has a strongly negative connotation and describes an unfair or harmful process.
Kinderarbeit ist eine schlimme Form der Ausbeutung.
Child labor is a terrible form of exploitation.
How can you recognize the meaning? If the word refers to people ('von Arbeitern' — of workers, 'von Kindern' — of children), it is about social injustice. If it refers to nature ('der Rohstoffe' — of raw materials, 'der Umwelt' — of the environment), it is about resources.
Die Ausbeutung von Praktikanten ist leider keine Seltenheit.
The exploitation of interns is unfortunately not uncommon.
To say what is being exploited, you usually use the preposition 'von' with the dative or the genitive.
Wir sprachen über die Ausbeutung von Bodenschätzen.
We talked about the exploitation of mineral resources.
exploitation / utilization
Ausbeutung and Ausnutzung both refer to gaining an unfair advantage at someone else’s expense. Ausbeutung more strongly emphasizes the ongoing or structural use of someone’s labor or difficult situation; Ausnutzung can also be a one-time or situation-specific act. For prolonged unfair treatment, Ausbeutung is usually the better choice; for a single ruthless advantage, Ausnutzung is more appropriate.
Die Ausbeutung der Arbeiter führte über Jahre zu niedrigen Löhnen und schlechten Bedingungen.
The exploitation of the workers led to low wages and poor conditions for years.
Die Ausnutzung seiner Notlage für einen schnellen Vorteil empörte die Familie.
The family was outraged by the exploitation of his difficult situation for quick gain.
