to combat
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to combat
To actively fight against something or someone in order to defeat, eliminate, or control it. Often refers to concrete problems, opponents, or diseases.
Die Feuerwehr versucht, den Waldbrand zu bekämpfen.
The fire department is trying to combat the forest fire.
to oppose
To actively stand against an idea, a development, or a political decision and try to prevent or reverse it.
Die Bürgerinitiative bekämpft den Bau der neuen Autobahn.
The citizens' initiative is opposing the construction of the new highway.
to fight each other
To fight against one another; to see and treat each other as enemies.
Die beiden rivalisierenden Gruppen bekämpfen sich seit Jahren.
The two rival groups have been fighting each other for years.
The prefix 'be-' is inseparable. It remains firmly attached to the verb 'kämpfen' (to fight) in all sentence forms and is not placed at the end of the sentence.
Die Regierung bekämpft die hohe Arbeitslosigkeit mit einem neuen Programm.
The government is combating high unemployment with a new program.
While the base verb 'kämpfen' (to fight) often requires the preposition 'gegen' (against), the prefix 'be-' makes the verb transitive. This means it is used directly with an accusative object: you combat *something*.
Die Ärzte bekämpfen die Infektion mit Antibiotika.
The doctors are combating the infection with antibiotics.
This verb is often used in connection with serious, negative things. Typical combinations are: 'eine Krankheit bekämpfen' (to combat a disease), 'Armut bekämpfen' (to combat poverty), 'Kriminalität bekämpfen' (to combat crime), or 'Korruption bekämpfen' (to combat corruption).
Die Organisation hat es sich zur Aufgabe gemacht, die Armut in der Region zu bekämpfen.
The organization has made it its mission to combat poverty in the region.
The reflexive form 'sich bekämpfen' (to fight each other) means that two or more people or groups fight against each other. The subject of the sentence is plural.
Die beiden Kandidaten bekämpften sich im Wahlkampf mit scharfen Worten.
The two candidates fought each other with harsh words during the election campaign.
to attack
Angreifen usually refers to a specific attack on an opponent. Bekämpfen focuses more on actively fighting with the aim of defeating or controlling the opponent; this struggle can consist of several attacks and last longer.
Die Armee bekämpfte den Gegner mehrere Monate lang.
The army fought the enemy for several months.
Die Armee griff die gegnerische Stellung am frühen Morgen an.
The army attacked the enemy position early in the morning.
