ankle monitor / ankle shackle
die Fußfessel, die Fußfesseln
Loading your saved state.
ankle monitor
An electronic device that is attached to a person's ankle to monitor their location, often as an alternative to a prison sentence.
Der Verurteilte steht unter Hausarrest und muss eine elektronische Fußfessel tragen.
The convicted offender is under house arrest and has to wear an electronic ankle monitor.
ankle shackle
A metal shackle that was historically placed around the ankles of prisoners or enslaved people to prevent them from escaping.
Im Museum waren alte Fußfesseln ausgestellt, die den Gefangenen angelegt wurden.
Old ankle shackles that were put on prisoners were on display in the museum.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Fußfesseln |
| genitive | der Fußfessel |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Fußfessel | die Fußfesseln |
| accusative | die Fußfessel | die Fußfesseln |
| dative | der Fußfessel | den Fußfesseln |
| genitive | der Fußfessel | der Fußfesseln |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
The word 'Fußfessel' (ankle monitor/ankle shackle) is made directly from 'Fuß' (foot) and 'Fessel' (shackle/restraint). A 'Fessel' is something that binds or restrains someone, in this case at the foot.
Der Gefangene versuchte vergeblich, seine Fußfessel zu lösen.
The prisoner tried in vain to remove his ankle shackle.
The most common verb used with 'Fußfessel' (ankle monitor/ankle shackle) is 'tragen' (to wear). Whether it is the modern electronic version or the historical one, you 'trägst' eine Fußfessel (wear an ankle monitor/shackle).
Er muss die Fußfessel für sechs Monate tragen.
He has to wear the ankle monitor for six months.
The modern ankle monitor is almost always 'elektronisch' (electronic). It is used in the context of 'Hausarrest' (house arrest) and 'Überwachung' (surveillance/monitoring), often as an alternative to a 'Haftstrafe' (prison sentence).
Die elektronische Fußfessel überwacht, ob der Verurteilte sein Haus verlässt.
The electronic ankle monitor tracks whether the convicted offender leaves his house.
You can recognize the older, historical meaning from references to the past, such as 'im Mittelalter' (in the Middle Ages), or from materials like 'Eisen' (iron) or 'Metall' (metal).
Im Burgverlies kann man noch die alten Fußfesseln der Gefangenen sehen.
In the castle dungeon, you can still see the prisoners' old ankle shackles.
