effect / influence
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effect / influence
The process or result of a force, substance, or influence acting on something or someone and causing a change or reaction.
Die ständige Einwirkung von Feuchtigkeit hat zu Schäden am Holz geführt.
The constant effect of moisture caused damage to the wood.
influence
In a legal context: an often impermissible attempt to influence a person, for example a witness or decision-maker.
Dem Angeklagten wurde die versuchte Einwirkung auf die Zeugen vor Gericht vorgeworfen.
The defendant was accused in court of attempting to influence the witnesses.
The word is derived from the verb 'einwirken' (to act upon/to have an effect on). It describes the process or result when something 'auf etwas einwirkt' (acts on something), that is, has an effect or influence.
Die Einwirkung von Säure kann das Metall zerstören.
The effect of acid can destroy the metal.
'Einwirkung' (effect/influence) is very often used with the prepositions 'unter' (under) or 'durch' (through/by). 'Unter Einwirkung von' (under the influence/effect of) describes a condition, while 'durch die Einwirkung von' (through/by the effect of) emphasizes the cause.
Das Medikament entfaltet seine Wirkung nur unter Einwirkung von Licht.
The medication only takes effect under the influence of light.
In scientific and technical contexts, the word is often combined with the type of influence. Common examples are 'chemische Einwirkung' (chemical effect), 'mechanische Einwirkung' (mechanical effect), or 'äußere Einwirkungen' (external influences).
Das Gehäuse schützt die Elektronik vor äußeren Einwirkungen.
The housing protects the electronics from external influences.
In the legal field, 'Einwirkung' (influence) often means impermissible influencing. The structure here is typically 'Einwirkung auf' + accusative.
Eine Einwirkung auf Zeugen ist strafbar.
Influencing witnesses is a punishable offense.
influence
Einfluss can refer to an indirect or long-term effect on something. Einwirkung emphasizes the direct process in which an external force or substance causes a change. Use Einfluss for a general shaping effect; when describing an immediate external process, Einwirkung is more precise.
Unter direkter Einwirkung starker Hitze verformte sich das Material.
The material deformed under the direct effect of intense heat.
Anhaltende Hitze hat großen Einfluss auf die Haltbarkeit des Materials.
Prolonged heat has a major influence on the material's durability.
