captivity
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captivity
The state in which a person or animal is held captive and has no freedom. This can refer to prisoners of war, inmates, or animals in cages.
Nach fünf Jahren in Gefangenschaft wurde der Soldat endlich freigelassen.
After five years in captivity, the soldier was finally released.
captivity
In a figurative sense, a state of lack of freedom or strong emotional or situational constraint.
Er fühlte sich in der Gefangenschaft seiner eigenen Ängste gefangen.
He felt trapped in the captivity of his own fears.
The word consists of 'gefangen' (the past participle of 'fangen' (to catch)) and the ending '-schaft', which describes a state. So 'Gefangenschaft' (captivity) is literally the state of being captured.
Der Löwe wurde in Gefangenschaft geboren und kann nicht ausgewildert werden.
The lion was born in captivity and cannot be released into the wild.
The prepositions 'in' and 'aus' are central here. 'In Gefangenschaft' (in captivity) describes the state or movement into it, while 'aus der Gefangenschaft' (out of captivity) expresses liberation or escape from it.
Der Spion geriet in Gefangenschaft.
The spy was taken into captivity.
You can recognize the figurative meaning by the fact that it is often connected with abstract terms. For example, people speak of the 'Gefangenschaft der Gewohnheit' (captivity of habit) or the 'Gefangenschaft der eigenen Gedanken' (captivity of one's own thoughts).
Sie fühlte sich wie in der Gefangenschaft einer langweiligen Routine.
She felt as if she were in the captivity of a boring routine.
custody / imprisonment
Haft and Gefangenschaft both mean that someone has no freedom. Haft refers to being held by the police or the judicial authorities, or to a prison sentence. Gefangenschaft is broader and also applies to prisoners of war, people who have been kidnapped, or captured animals.
Nach seiner Entführung blieb der Mann mehrere Monate in Gefangenschaft.
After he was kidnapped, the man remained in captivity for several months.
Nach seiner Festnahme blieb der Verdächtige bis zum Prozess in Haft.
After his arrest, the suspect remained in custody until the trial.
