01
die Belagerung
siege
The military encirclement of a city or fortress with the goal of forcing it to surrender.
example
Die Belagerung der Burg dauerte mehrere Monate.
The siege of the castle lasted several months.
die Belagerung
siege
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
'Die Belagerung' (siege) comes from the verb 'belagern' (to besiege). This is made up of 'lagern' (to set up camp) and the prefix 'be-'. So it describes how people position themselves 'around' a place or person.
EXAMPLE
Die Armee belagerte die Stadt für fast ein Jahr.
The army besieged the city for almost a year.
Context clues
You can recognize the meaning from the context. If it is about 'Städte' (cities), 'Burgen' (castles), or 'Festungen' (fortresses) in a historical or military context, the military action is meant. If it is about 'Journalisten' (journalists), 'Fans' (fans), or 'Fotografen' (photographers) who are crowding around and pressuring a person, the figurative meaning is meant.
EXAMPLE
Die Belagerung von Konstantinopel im Jahr 1453 war ein historisches Ereignis.
The siege of Constantinople in 1453 was a historic event.
Typical collocations
In the figurative meaning, 'Belagerung' (siege) is often intensified with adjectives like 'regelrecht' (veritable/real) or 'förmlich' (almost/literally) to emphasize the intensity of the pressure.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Gewinn der Meisterschaft erlebte der Trainer eine regelrechte Belagerung durch die Presse.
After winning the championship, the coach experienced a veritable siege by the press.
Compare with
Belagerung vs Besetzung
cast / occupation
'die Besetzung' and 'die Belagerung' can both occur in military situations. A 'Belagerung' means that a city or fortress is surrounded from the outside so that it will surrender. A 'Besetzung' means that a foreign territory has already been taken and is being controlled. The words can be confused because both have to do with war and power over a place. In practice: during a 'Belagerung', the enemy is usually still outside; during a 'Besetzung', the enemy is already inside and in control there.
Belagerung
Während der Belagerung kamen kaum noch Lebensmittel in die Festung.
During the siege, hardly any food reached the fortress anymore.
Besetzung
Nach der Besetzung kontrollierten fremde Soldaten die Stadt.
After the occupation, foreign soldiers controlled the city.
In real life
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