expropriation
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expropriation
The legal act by which the state takes property from a person or company, especially land, in exchange for compensation. This usually happens for purposes that serve the public good.
Die Enteignung der Anwohner war für den Bau der neuen Bahnstrecke unumgänglich.
The expropriation of the residents was unavoidable for the construction of the new railway line.
The noun 'Enteignung' (expropriation) comes from the verb 'enteignen' (to expropriate). The prefix 'ent-' here means 'to take away,' and 'eigen' refers to property or ownership. So 'enteignen' means to take someone's property away.
Der Staat kann Bürger unter bestimmten Umständen enteignen.
The state can expropriate citizens under certain circumstances.
In connection with 'Enteignung' (expropriation), you often hear the phrase 'gegen eine Entschädigung' (in exchange for compensation), since the taking of property must be legally compensated. Common verbs are 'drohen' (to threaten / to be imminent), 'fordern' (to demand), or 'durchführen' (to carry out).
Den Grundstücksbesitzern droht die Enteignung für den Autobahnbau.
The property owners face expropriation for the construction of the highway.
This is a technical term from the fields of law and politics. It is mainly used in formal contexts such as laws, news reports, or political debates.
Im Parlament wird über das neue Gesetz zur Enteignung von Immobilien diskutiert.
Parliament is discussing the new law on the expropriation of real estate.
acquisition / appropriation
'Enteignung' and 'Aneignung' sound similar and both have to do with ownership, but the direction is different. In an 'Enteignung', the state takes property away from someone, usually through a legal procedure and often with compensation. In an 'Aneignung', someone takes possession of something or makes it their own. Depending on the situation, this can be lawful or problematic. The risk of confusion comes from the similar form of the words. As a simple help: 'Enteignung' means someone loses property through the state. 'Aneignung' means someone takes or adopts something.
Die geplante Enteignung des Grundstücks wurde im Stadtrat lange diskutiert.
The planned expropriation of the property was discussed at length in the city council.
Die Aneignung fremder Sachen ist ohne Erlaubnis nicht erlaubt.
Taking possession of other people's property without permission is not allowed.