curfew
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curfew
An official order that forbids people from leaving their houses or apartments at certain times, usually at night.
Wegen der Unruhen verhängte die Regierung eine nächtliche Ausgangssperre.
Because of the unrest, the government imposed a nighttime curfew.
curfew
A private rule requiring a person, often a teenager, to be home by a certain time.
Meine Eltern haben mir für das Wochenende eine Ausgangssperre bis 23 Uhr gegeben.
My parents gave me an 11 p.m. curfew for the weekend.
The word is made up of 'der Ausgang' (exit / going out) and 'die Sperre' (block / closure). So it literally describes a blocking or restriction on leaving the house.
Bitte benutzen Sie den hinteren Ausgang.
Please use the rear exit.
The context reveals whether the official order or the private rule is meant. Words like 'Regierung' (government), 'Stadt' (city), or 'verhängen' (to impose) point to the official meaning. 'Eltern' (parents) or 'eine Ausgangssperre haben' (to have a curfew) indicate the private rule for teenagers.
Die Stadt hat eine Ausgangssperre für die Silvesternacht verhängt.
The city imposed a curfew for New Year's Eve.
In an official context, a curfew is 'verhängt' (imposed), 'angeordnet' (ordered), or 'erlassen' (issued) by an authority. When it is ended, it is 'aufgehoben' (lifted).
Die nächtliche Ausgangssperre wurde nach zwei Wochen wieder aufgehoben.
The nighttime curfew was lifted again after two weeks.
In a private context, a person 'hat' (has) a curfew or 'bekommt' (gets) one from their parents. You can also say that the parents 'geben' (give) someone a curfew.
Weil seine Noten schlecht waren, hat er jetzt eine strengere Ausgangssperre.
Because his grades were bad, he now has a stricter curfew.
house arrest
Both words refer to an imposed restriction on leaving a house or apartment. „Hausarrest“ applies to an individual person, while „Ausgangssperre“ usually applies to a population or group at certain times. When it concerns one person, „Hausarrest“ is appropriate; when the rule applies generally, „Ausgangssperre“ is appropriate.
Wegen der behördlichen Ausgangssperre durfte die Bevölkerung nachts ihre Wohnungen nicht verlassen.
Because of the official curfew, people were not allowed to leave their homes at night.
Wegen der Maßnahme durfte der Jugendliche eine Woche lang seine Wohnung nicht verlassen.
Because of the measure, the teenager was not allowed to leave his apartment for a week.
