dictatorship
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dictatorship
A form of rule in which a single person (a dictator) or a small group of people exercises unrestricted power without being bound by a constitution or laws.
In einer Diktatur gibt es keine freien Wahlen und keine Meinungsfreiheit.
In a dictatorship, there are no free elections and no freedom of expression.
The word 'Diktatur' (dictatorship) belongs to a word family. The person who has the power is the 'Diktator' (dictator), and their actions can be described as 'diktatorisch' (dictatorial).
Der Diktator regierte das Land mit eiserner Hand.
The dictator ruled the country with an iron fist.
In a political context, 'Diktatur' (dictatorship) is often used with certain verbs and prepositions. Common phrases are 'in einer Diktatur leben' (to live in a dictatorship), 'eine Diktatur errichten' (to establish a dictatorship), or 'unter einer Diktatur leiden' (to suffer under a dictatorship).
Viele Menschen mussten fliehen, weil sie unter der Diktatur litten.
Many people had to flee because they suffered under the dictatorship.
You can recognize the figurative meaning by the fact that it is not about politics or a country. Instead, it describes a non-political compulsion, for example in the areas of fashion, opinions, or personal scheduling.
Er leidet unter der Diktatur seines vollen Terminkalenders.
He suffers under the dictatorship of his packed schedule.
control / check
'die Kontrolle' and 'die Diktatur' can both have to do with power over people or situations. But 'Kontrolle' is much more general and can be neutral: someone controls, monitors, or determines something. 'Diktatur' is much stronger and usually political: one person or a small group has almost unlimited power, and others have hardly any say. In a figurative sense, 'Diktatur' can also mean very harsh, coercive control. Learners may confuse the words because in both cases someone has power. But 'Diktatur' only fits when this power is very extreme or unfree.
In der Diktatur durfte die Zeitung keine Kritik an der Regierung schreiben.
In the dictatorship, the newspaper was not allowed to write any criticism of the government.
Nach dem Unfall verlor der Fahrer kurz die Kontrolle über das Auto.
After the accident, the driver briefly lost control of the car.