establishment
das Establishment, die Establishments
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establishment
The influential and usually long-established people and groups in politics, business, culture, or other areas of society. The term is often used critically or disparagingly.
Die junge Bewegung richtet sich gegen das politische Establishment.
The young movement is directed against the political establishment.
establishment
The existing social order with its established institutions and power structures.
Die Punkbewegung wollte das bürgerliche Establishment mit seinen Regeln und Werten provozieren.
The punk movement wanted to provoke the bourgeois establishment with its rules and values.
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Establishments |
| genitive | des Establishments |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Establishment | die Establishments |
| accusative | das Establishment | die Establishments |
| dative | dem Establishment | den Establishments |
| genitive | des Establishments | der Establishments |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Establishment' is particularly common in political debates, journalistic texts, and social commentary. It often reflects a perspective from outside the existing power structures.
In ihrem Kommentar wirft die Journalistin dem Establishment vor, die Sorgen junger Menschen zu ignorieren.
In her commentary, the journalist accuses the establishment of ignoring young people's concerns.
To associate a person or group with this influential circle, German frequently uses 'zum Establishment gehören' (to belong to the establishment). The social sphere can be specified with an adjective, as in 'zum politischen Establishment' (to belong to the political establishment) or 'zum kulturellen Establishment' (to belong to the cultural establishment).
Obwohl er sich als Außenseiter darstellt, gehört er seit Jahren zum politischen Establishment.
Although he presents himself as an outsider, he has belonged to the political establishment for years.
When referring to the existing order, 'das Establishment infrage stellen' (to challenge the establishment) and 'mit dem Establishment brechen' (to break with the establishment) are typical expressions. They are often used when movements or individuals demand fundamental changes.
Die neue Partei verspricht, mit dem Establishment zu brechen und die politischen Institutionen grundlegend zu verändern.
The new party promises to break with the establishment and fundamentally change the political institutions.
