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.
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 force
'zwingen' and 'einschüchtern' both have to do with putting pressure on a person. 'zwingen' means that someone is made to do something against their will through power, pressure, or violence. 'einschüchtern' places more emphasis on the fear or insecurity that someone causes in another person. You can intimidate someone in order to force them to do something later. The words can be confused because both can result in a person giving in. If the action itself is the focus, 'zwingen' fits better; if making someone afraid is the focus, 'einschüchtern' fits better.
Der laute Ton des Polizisten hat den jungen Fahrer eingeschüchtert.
The police officer's harsh tone intimidated the young driver.
Der Chef zwingt die Mitarbeiter, am Wochenende zu arbeiten.
The boss forces the employees to work on the weekend.