cartel
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cartel
A group of companies that make illegal agreements to eliminate competition, for example through uniform prices or the division of markets.
Das Bundeskartellamt hat gegen das Baukartell eine hohe Geldstrafe verhängt.
The Federal Cartel Office imposed a heavy fine on the construction cartel.
The word 'Kartell' (cartel) has a strongly negative and illegal connotation in both meanings. It never describes a legal or legitimate form of cooperation.
Die Regierung hat den Kartellen den Kampf angesagt.
The government has declared war on the cartels.
Whether an economic cartel or a drug cartel is meant is revealed by the context. If it is about prices, markets, and companies, the economic meaning is intended. If it is about drugs, violence, and organized crime, the criminal organization is meant.
Die EU-Kommission ermittelt gegen ein mögliches Kartell von Autoherstellern.
The European Commission is investigating a possible cartel of car manufacturers.
In an economic context, companies 'bilden' (form) a cartel. Authorities such as the Federal Cartel Office can 'gegen ein Kartell ermitteln' (investigate a cartel) or 'es zerschlagen' (break it up).
Es ist illegal, ein Kartell zur Absprache von Preisen zu bilden.
It is illegal to form a cartel to fix prices.
In the meaning of a criminal organization, 'Kartell' (cartel) is almost always associated with drug trafficking. The most common and best-known combination is 'das Drogenkartell' (the drug cartel).
Der Journalist berichtete über die Macht der Drogenkartelle in Südamerika.
The journalist reported on the power of the drug cartels in South America.
ring
'der Ring' and 'das Kartell' can both refer to a group that works together secretly or illegally. 'Ring' is more general: it is about people or organizations working together toward a specific goal, for example a 'Schmugglerring' (smuggling ring). 'Kartell' is more precise when companies make illegal agreements, or when people are talking about a large criminal organization, especially in drug trafficking. The words can be confused because both appear in news reports about crime. In practical terms: for illegal price-fixing agreements, you say 'Kartell'; for a secret group of offenders, 'Ring' often fits.
Mehrere Firmen mussten Strafe zahlen, weil sie ein Kartell gebildet hatten.
Several companies had to pay a fine because they had formed a cartel.
Die Polizei hat einen Ring von Fahrraddieben in der Stadt entdeckt.
The police discovered a ring of bicycle thieves in the city.