campaign
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military campaign
A larger, planned military operation by armed forces in a war, aimed at a strategic objective.
Napoleons Feldzug gegen Russland im Jahr 1812 endete in einer Katastrophe.
Napoleon's military campaign against Russia in 1812 ended in disaster.
The word is made up of 'Feld' (field) and 'Zug' (move/march). It literally describes a 'march across the field', which vividly represents the movement of an army in a military operation.
Der General plante den Feldzug bis ins kleinste Detail.
The general planned the military campaign down to the smallest detail.
'Feldzug' (campaign) is often combined with verbs that describe an action. Typical verbs are 'einen Feldzug führen' (to wage/conduct a campaign), 'starten' (to launch), 'beginnen' (to begin), or 'unternehmen' (to undertake).
Die Aktivisten führen einen Feldzug für saubere Meere.
The activists are conducting a campaign for clean oceans.
You can recognize the figurative meaning from the context. If the 'Feldzug' (campaign) relates to social, political, or economic issues, it usually means an intensive campaign, not a military operation.
Die Zeitung startete einen Feldzug gegen die neue Steuer.
The newspaper launched a campaign against the new tax.
In the figurative meaning, 'Feldzug' (campaign) is almost always used with the preposition 'gegen' (against) to name the target of the campaign.
Es war ein langer Feldzug gegen die Korruption im Land.
It was a long campaign against corruption in the country.
action / sale
'die Aktion' and 'der Feldzug' can both mean a planned action intended to achieve a goal. 'Aktion' is more general and often neutral: it can be a small undertaking, a public measure, or a political action. 'Feldzug' sounds much stronger and usually means a long, intensive, and well-organized campaign, often against something or someone. Learners may confuse the words because both involve planning and a goal. As a guide: for normal or individual measures, 'Aktion' fits better; when something feels like a major fight or a strong campaign, 'Feldzug' is more likely to fit.
Die Zeitung startete einen Feldzug gegen die Verschwendung von Lebensmitteln.
The newspaper launched a campaign against food waste.
Mit einer kleinen Aktion sammelt die Klasse Geld für das Tierheim.
With a small campaign, the class collects money for the animal shelter.