enemy image
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enemy image
A highly simplified, stereotypical, and entirely negative image that one forms of a person, group, nation, or ideology as an opponent. Enemy images often serve to justify one's own actions or strengthen group cohesion.
In der Propaganda wurde gezielt ein Feindbild des Nachbarlandes aufgebaut, um den Krieg zu rechtfertigen.
In the propaganda, an enemy image of the neighboring country was deliberately built up in order to justify the war.
The word is a clear compound of 'der Feind' (the enemy) and 'das Bild' (the image/picture). So it literally means an 'image of an enemy'.
Die beiden Länder waren lange Zeit Feinde.
The two countries were enemies for a long time.
'Feindbild' (enemy image) is often combined with verbs that describe an active process of creating or using something. Common combinations are 'ein Feindbild aufbauen' (to build up an enemy image), 'ein Feindbild erzeugen' (to create an enemy image), or 'ein Feindbild pflegen' (to maintain an enemy image).
Die Regierung versuchte, ein neues Feindbild zu schaffen.
The government tried to create a new enemy image.
This word is mainly used in political, social, or historical discussions. It almost always implies that the image of the enemy is deliberately simplified and portrayed negatively, often for propaganda purposes.
Im Kalten Krieg wurden auf beiden Seiten klare Feindbilder verbreitet.
During the Cold War, clear enemy images were spread on both sides.
prejudice
A Vorurteil is a preconceived, usually negative opinion about a person or group. An Feindbild, by contrast, is a deliberately oversimplified and entirely negative image of an opponent that can serve to justify one's own actions or strengthen a group. Use Vorurteil for a personal judgment and Feindbild for an image of an opponent.
Die Kampagne machte die Nachbargruppe zum Feindbild und rechtfertigte damit harte Maßnahmen.
The campaign turned the neighboring group into an enemy image and used it to justify harsh measures.
Sein unbegründetes negatives Urteil über die Nachbarn ist ein Vorurteil.
His unfounded negative judgment of the neighbors is a prejudice.
