military service
Loading your saved state.
military service
Service in a country's armed forces, especially during a war. The term is often used synonymously with compulsory military service, but emphasizes the aspect of armed conflict.
Im Zweiten Weltkrieg wurden viele junge Männer zum Kriegsdienst eingezogen.
In the Second World War, many young men were drafted for military service.
The word is made up of 'der Krieg' (war), the linking '-s', and 'der Dienst' (service). So it literally means 'service in war'.
Sein Großvater musste damals noch Kriegsdienst leisten.
His grandfather still had to perform military service back then.
Common verbs in this context are 'Kriegsdienst leisten' (to perform military service) or 'zum Kriegsdienst eingezogen werden' (to be drafted for military service by the state).
Mit 18 Jahren wurde er zum Kriegsdienst eingezogen.
At the age of 18, he was drafted for military service.
Refusal of service is almost always expressed with the fixed phrase 'den Kriegsdienst verweigern' (to refuse military service). The noun is in the accusative here.
Er hat das Recht, den Kriegsdienst aus Gewissensgründen zu verweigern.
He has the right to refuse military service for reasons of conscience.
conscription
'die Wehrpflicht' and 'der Kriegsdienst' can both have to do with service in the armed forces. 'die Wehrpflicht' refers to the legal obligation to do military service. 'der Kriegsdienst' refers to the service itself, especially when it involves armed conflict or armed service. That is why people also say 'den Kriegsdienst verweigern' (to refuse military service) when someone does not want to do armed service for reasons of conscience. The words can be confusing because obligation and service are closely connected. The important point is: 'Wehrpflicht' is the obligation; 'Kriegsdienst' is the activity or service.
Mein Großvater sprach selten über seinen Kriegsdienst.
My grandfather rarely spoke about his military service.
Die Wehrpflicht wurde in diesem Land vor einigen Jahren ausgesetzt.
Conscription was suspended in this country a few years ago.