violence / authority / force
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violence
The use of physical force with the intention of injuring, harming, or forcing someone.
Der Täter wurde wegen der Anwendung von Gewalt gegen einen Polizisten verurteilt.
The offender was convicted for the use of violence against a police officer.
authority / power
The official power or authority that a state or one of its institutions possesses. Often used in the plural as 'Gewalten' in 'Gewaltenteilung' (separation of powers).
In einer Demokratie wird die Staatsgewalt in Legislative, Exekutive und Judikative geteilt.
In a democracy, state authority is divided into the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
force
A very great, often destructive and uncontrollable force, especially of natural phenomena.
Die Gewalt des Hurrikans riss Dächer von den Häusern.
The force of the hurricane tore roofs off the houses.
to control oneself
To master oneself; to keep control over one's own feelings and reactions.
Obwohl er extrem wütend war, hatte er sich noch in der Gewalt und schrie nicht.
Although he was extremely angry, he still controlled himself and did not shout.
'Gewalt' (violence / authority / force) is related to the old verb 'walten' (to rule, exercise power) and the adjective 'gewaltig' (huge, mighty). This connection to the idea of power and strength helps explain the different meanings.
Die gewaltige Kraft des Wassers zerstörte die Brücke.
The tremendous force of the water destroyed the bridge.
In connection with physical force, fixed collocations are very common. These include 'Gewalt anwenden' (to use violence), 'mit Gewalt drohen' (to threaten violence), 'Gewalt ausüben' (to exercise/use violence), or 'Opfer von Gewalt werden' (to become a victim of violence).
Der Einbrecher hat keine Gewalt angewendet.
The burglar did not use violence.
To name the target or victim of the violence, the preposition 'gegen' with the accusative is almost always used.
Die Demonstration richtete sich gegen die Gewalt im Land.
The demonstration was directed against the violence in the country.
The meaning 'Staatsmacht' (state power/state authority) can be recognized from the context of politics and law. A clear signal is the plural form 'die Gewalten' (the powers/branches), which occurs almost exclusively in this context, as in 'Gewaltenteilung' (separation of powers).
Die Polizei ist Teil der exekutiven Gewalt.
The police are part of the executive authority.
When 'Gewalt' describes a force of nature, it always appears in connection with natural phenomena. For example, people speak of 'der Gewalt des Sturmes' (the force of the storm), 'der Gewalt der Wellen' (the force of the waves), or 'der Gewalt eines Erdbebens' (the force of an earthquake).
Die Segler unterschätzten die Gewalt des Sturmes.
The sailors underestimated the force of the storm.
The meaning 'Selbstbeherrschung' (self-control) occurs only in the fixed, reflexive expression 'sich in der Gewalt haben' (to have oneself under control). The person controlling themselves is the subject of the sentence.
Atme tief durch und versuche, dich in der Gewalt zu haben.
Take a deep breath and try to control yourself.
strength / force
Both words can describe the powerful effect of a natural event. Kraft initially describes the force or energy at work in a neutral way, while Gewalt particularly emphasizes an overwhelming, destructive, and difficult-to-control effect. Use Kraft for physical effects in general, and Gewalt when the natural event appears threatening or destructive.
Die Gewalt des Sturms riss mehrere Bäume aus dem Boden.
The force of the storm tore several trees out of the ground.
Die Kraft des Windes drückte die Äste gegen das Fenster.
The force of the wind pushed the branches against the window.
