distress
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in distress
To be in a difficult, unpleasant situation in which you are under pressure and have hardly any room to maneuver. It can refer to financial, emotional, or other emergencies.
Durch die unerwarteten Ausgaben geriet die Familie in finanzielle Bedrängnis.
Because of the unexpected expenses, the family got into financial distress.
The noun is derived from the verb 'bedrängen' (to pressure someone), which means 'jemanden unter Druck setzen' (to put someone under pressure). 'Bedrängnis' (distress) therefore describes the state you are in when you are under strong pressure.
Die kleine Firma spürte die Bedrängnis durch die große Konkurrenz.
The small company felt the distress caused by the large competitors.
This word is almost always used in the fixed expression 'in Bedrängnis' (in distress). Important verbs used with it are 'geraten' (to get into), 'kommen' (to come/get into), 'sein' (to be), or jemanden 'bringen' (to put someone into).
Durch die plötzliche Kündigung geriet er in finanzielle Bedrängnis.
Because of the sudden dismissal, he got into financial distress.
To specify the kind of difficult situation, the expression is often combined with adjectives. Common phrases are 'in finanzielle Bedrängnis' (into financial distress), 'in arge Bedrängnis' (into serious distress), or 'in große Bedrängnis' (into great distress).
Die Mannschaft kam gegen Ende des Spiels in arge Bedrängnis.
Toward the end of the game, the team came under serious pressure.
pressure / printing
'der Druck' and 'die Bedrängnis' can both describe a difficult situation in which someone has little calm or freedom. 'Druck' is broader and very common: it can arise from deadlines, expectations, or other people. You can also 'jemanden unter Druck setzen' (put pressure on someone). 'Bedrängnis' more strongly describes the whole difficult situation in which someone has hardly any room to act. The word sounds more serious and is often used in the phrase 'in Bedrängnis geraten' (to get into distress). Learners may confuse the words because 'Bedrängnis' is often connected with pressure. 'Druck' fits the burden itself, while 'Bedrängnis' fits the difficult situation more.
Nach dem plötzlichen Jobverlust gerät Frau Neumann finanziell in Bedrängnis.
After the sudden loss of her job, Ms. Neumann gets into financial distress.
Vor der Prüfung steht Moritz unter großem Druck.
Before the exam, Moritz is under a lot of pressure.