relief / discharge
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relief
The reduction of a burden, pressure, or strain. It can refer to work, finances, worries, or physical effort.
Die Einstellung eines neuen Mitarbeiters bedeutet eine große Entlastung für das ganze Team.
Hiring a new employee means great relief for the whole team.
discharge
The formal act of releasing a person or body (e.g., a board of directors) from responsibility for past actions after management has been reviewed.
Auf der Hauptversammlung wurde dem Vorstand die Entlastung für das vergangene Geschäftsjahr erteilt.
At the annual general meeting, the board was granted discharge for the previous financial year.
The word is derived from the verb 'entlasten' (to relieve). The prefix 'ent-' means 'to take away', and 'Last' is a burden. So 'Entlastung' (relief) is literally the 'taking away of a burden'.
Die neue Software sorgt für eine spürbare Entlastung im Arbeitsalltag.
The new software provides noticeable relief in everyday work.
In the general sense, 'Entlastung' (relief) is often combined with verbs like 'schaffen' (to create), 'bringen' (to bring), or 'sorgen für' (to provide for). For example, people speak of 'finanzieller Entlastung' (financial relief) or 'emotionaler Entlastung' (emotional relief).
Das Gespräch mit meiner Freundin war eine große emotionale Entlastung für mich.
The conversation with my friend was a great emotional relief for me.
The formal, legal meaning can be recognized from the context. Words like 'Vorstand' (board of directors), 'Aufsichtsrat' (supervisory board), 'erteilen' (to grant), or 'verweigern' (to refuse) clearly point to this technical usage.
Die Mitgliederversammlung hat dem Vorstand die Entlastung erteilt.
The members' meeting granted the board discharge.
liberation / release
When referring to an obligation, Befreiung means that it is completely waived. Entlastung, by contrast, means that a burden becomes smaller but may continue to exist. Someone who no longer has to take on anything speaks of Befreiung; someone who has less work or pressure speaks of Entlastung.
Die Entlastung durch eine zusätzliche Kollegin verringerte seine Bereitschaftsdienste.
The support provided by an additional colleague reduced the number of on-call shifts he had.
Die Befreiung vom Bereitschaftsdienst galt für das gesamte Jahr.
The exemption from on-call duty applied for the entire year.
