to intimidate
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to intimidate
To unsettle someone and make them afraid through threats, showing off, or a display of power, in order to force them into a certain behavior or prevent them from doing something.
Er versuchte, die Zeugen einzuschüchtern, damit sie ihre Aussage ändern.
He tried to intimidate the witnesses so that they would change their testimony.
to let oneself be intimidated
To allow oneself to be unsettled or frightened by threats or other people's behavior and therefore give in.
Lass dich von seinen lauten Worten nicht einschüchtern.
Don't let yourself be intimidated by his loud words.
The verb is made up of 'ein-' and the adjective 'schüchtern' (shy). 'Einschüchtern' (to intimidate) therefore literally means to make someone shy or to put someone into a state of fear and insecurity.
Der große Hund schüchterte das kleine Kind ein.
The big dog intimidated the small child.
'Einschüchtern' (to intimidate) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'ein-' comes at the end. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Sein strenger Blick schüchtert viele Leute ein.
His stern look intimidates many people.
The verb 'einschüchtern' (to intimidate) is transitive and always requires an accusative object. This object is the person who is being intimidated.
Die gegnerische Mannschaft versuchte, unsere Spieler vor dem Spiel einzuschüchtern.
The opposing team tried to intimidate our players before the game.
The passive form 'sich einschüchtern lassen' (to let oneself be intimidated) is very common, especially in the negative. 'Sich nicht einschüchtern lassen' (not to let oneself be intimidated) means to stay brave and not react to threats.
Trotz der Drohungen ließ sich die Journalistin nicht einschüchtern.
Despite the threats, the journalist did not let herself be intimidated.
to threaten
Bedrohen describes threatening behavior, such as announcing violence. Einschüchtern emphasizes the intended or achieved effect: the other person becomes uncertain or afraid and is therefore supposed to change their behavior. A threat can thus intimidate someone.
Mit seiner Gewaltandrohung schüchtert der Mann den Zeugen ein.
By threatening violence, the man intimidates the witness.
Mit seiner Gewaltandrohung bedroht der Mann den Zeugen.
By threatening violence, the man threatens the witness.
