servitude
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servitude
A state of personal unfreedom and dependence in which a person is forced to work for a master; slavery or serfdom.
Viele Menschen lebten jahrhundertelang in Knechtschaft, bevor die Leibeigenschaft abgeschafft wurde.
Many people lived in servitude for centuries before serfdom was abolished.
The word is made up of 'der Knecht' (a historical term for a servant or laborer) and the suffix '-schaft'. The ending '-schaft' forms abstract nouns that describe a state or a community.
Die Abschaffung der Knechtschaft war ein wichtiger historischer Schritt.
The abolition of servitude was an important historical step.
'Knechtschaft' (servitude) is often used with verbs that describe or change a state. Typical phrases are 'in Knechtschaft leben' (to live in servitude), 'in die Knechtschaft geraten' (to fall into servitude), or 'sich aus der Knechtschaft befreien' (to free oneself from servitude).
Sie kämpften für ihre Befreiung aus der Knechtschaft.
They fought for their liberation from servitude.
This word has a very strong, negative meaning and is mainly used in historical, political, or literary contexts. It is uncommon in everyday language.
Der Roman beschreibt das Leben der Bauern in tiefer Knechtschaft.
The novel describes the life of the peasants in deep servitude.
captivity
Gefangenschaft can figuratively refer to any state of severe lack of freedom or constraint. Knechtschaft is narrower and emphasizes personal subjugation, dependence, and forced work for a master. Gefangenschaft fits general inner or outer lack of freedom, while Knechtschaft fits this kind of exploitation.
Die erzwungene Arbeit für den Gutsherrn hielt die Menschen in Knechtschaft.
The forced labor for the landowner kept the people in servitude.
Die starke emotionale Abhängigkeit wurde für ihn zu einer inneren Gefangenschaft.
The strong emotional dependence became a form of inner captivity for him.
