unauthorized
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unauthorized
Acting without the required permission or consent of a responsible person or institution; on one's own initiative and often against applicable rules.
Der Mieter hat eigenmächtig die Wand zum Nachbarzimmer durchbrochen.
The tenant broke through the wall to the neighboring room without authorization.
The word is made up of 'eigen' (one's own) and 'Macht' (power). It describes an action that someone carries out on their own authority, without having the necessary permission or authority.
Die eigenmächtige Fällung des Baumes wird eine Strafe nach sich ziehen.
The unauthorized felling of the tree will result in a penalty.
'Eigenmächtig' (unauthorized) almost always has a negative meaning. It implies that a person ignores rules or instructions and does what they want, even though they are not allowed to.
Es ist nicht in Ordnung, dass du eigenmächtig unsere Pläne geändert hast.
It is not okay that you changed our plans without authorization.
'Eigenmächtig' (unauthorized) can be used as an adverb to describe a verb, or as an adjective before a noun. As an adverb, it usually comes directly after the verb.
Er hat die Software eigenmächtig installiert.
He installed the software without authorization.
The word is often combined with verbs of action. Typical collocations are 'eigenmächtig handeln' (to act without authorization), 'etwas eigenmächtig entscheiden' (to decide something without authorization), or 'etwas eigenmächtig entfernen' (to remove something without authorization).
Der Mitarbeiter wurde entlassen, weil er eigenmächtig Kundendaten gelöscht hat.
The employee was dismissed because he deleted customer data without authorization.
independent / original
Eigenständig means that someone acts without help or guidance and is usually neutral or positive. Eigenmächtig, by contrast, means that someone acts without the required permission or consent. The decisive factor is therefore not independence, but whether the person was allowed to act.
Die Mitarbeiterin änderte den Ablauf eigenmächtig, obwohl sie dafür die Zustimmung der Leitung brauchte.
The employee changed the procedure without authorization, even though she needed the management's approval.
Die Mitarbeiterin änderte den Ablauf eigenständig innerhalb ihres Aufgabenbereichs.
The employee changed the procedure independently within the scope of her responsibilities.
