possession / estate
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possession
An area or territory that belongs to a state and is administered by it, especially a dependent overseas territory similar to a colony.
Hongkong war bis 1997 eine britische Besitzung in Asien.
Hong Kong was a British possession in Asia until 1997.
estate
Elevated or old-fashioned for a person's entire property; ownership of land and property.
Der alte Graf zog sich auf seine ländliche Besitzung zurück.
The old count withdrew to his rural estate.
The noun 'Besitzung' (possession/estate) is derived from the verb 'besitzen' (to own). The ending '-ung' turns the act of possessing into a noun for what is possessed.
Der König herrschte über gewaltige Besitzungen.
The king ruled over vast possessions.
This word belongs to the word family of 'besitzen' (to own) and 'der Besitz' (possession/property). All of these words have to do with ownership and having things.
Er war stolz auf seinen Besitz.
He was proud of his property.
In the meaning 'Territorium' (territory), the word is used almost exclusively in a historical or political context, often in reference to former colonies.
Die Insel war lange Zeit eine portugiesische Besitzung.
The island was a Portuguese possession for a long time.
Using it for private property or land is considered elevated and somewhat old-fashioned today. You find it mainly in literature or when talking about nobility and historical land ownership.
Der Roman beschreibt das Leben auf einer adligen Besitzung im 19. Jahrhundert.
The novel describes life on a noble estate in the 19th century.
estate
An Anwesen refers to a specific unit consisting of a large property and impressive buildings. Besitzung is an elevated or old-fashioned term for ownership of land and property. Anwesen is appropriate for the visible overall complex, while Besitzung is more suitable when referring to land as property.
Zur Besitzung der Familie gehören mehrere Hektar Land.
The family's property includes several hectares of land.
Zum Anwesen der Familie gehören die Villa, der Garten und das Gästehaus.
The family's estate includes the villa, the garden, and the guesthouse.
