extortion
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extortion
The criminal act of forcing someone, through the threat of violence or serious harm, to do, tolerate, or refrain from doing something in order to enrich oneself or a third party.
Er wurde wegen Erpressung angeklagt, nachdem er gedroht hatte, kompromittierende Fotos zu veröffentlichen.
He was charged with extortion after threatening to publish compromising photos.
'Die Erpressung' (extortion) is derived from the verb 'erpressen' (to extort). The verb is made up of 'er-' and 'pressen' (to press) and means to get something from someone through pressure or threats.
Er hat versucht, seinen ehemaligen Geschäftspartner zu erpressen.
He tried to extort his former business partner.
Since 'Erpressung' (extortion) is a criminal offense, the word is often used in legal contexts. Typical phrases are 'Anzeige wegen Erpressung' (criminal complaint for extortion), 'Opfer einer Erpressung werden' (to become a victim of extortion), or 'versuchte Erpressung' (attempted extortion).
Die Polizei ermittelt wegen versuchter Erpressung.
The police are investigating attempted extortion.
The act of extortion can be described with the pattern 'jemanden mit etwas erpressen' (to extort someone with something). The person being extorted is in the accusative; the means of extortion is in the dative with 'mit'.
Der Angeklagte hat das Opfer mit geheimen Informationen erpresst.
The defendant extorted the victim with secret information.
coercion
Both words refer to forcing someone to do something through violence or a threat. Erpressung also applies when the person making the threat wants to gain a financial benefit for themselves or someone else. Without this clear financial purpose, Nötigung is the better choice.
Mit der Drohung, private Fotos zu veröffentlichen, beging er eine Erpressung und verlangte Geld.
By threatening to publish private photos, he committed extortion and demanded money.
Mit der Drohung zwang er den Nachbarn zur Nötigung, obwohl er keinen finanziellen Vorteil verlangte.
He used the threat to coerce his neighbor, although he did not demand any financial benefit.
