concentration camp
das KZ, die KZ
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concentration camp
An abbreviation for „Konzentrationslager“ (concentration camp), especially referring to the camps of the Nazi regime. In a KZ, people were imprisoned, mistreated, and in many cases murdered for political, racist, or other reasons.
Mein Großvater wurde während der NS-Zeit in ein KZ deportiert.
My grandfather was deported to a concentration camp during the Nazi era.
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die KZ |
| genitive | des KZ |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das KZ | die KZ die KZs |
| accusative | das KZ | die KZ die KZs |
| dative | dem KZ | den KZ den KZs |
| genitive | des KZ des KZs | der KZ der KZs |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
When naming a specific camp, the place name often comes directly after „KZ“ (concentration camp). No preposition is used between „KZ“ and the place name.
Im Unterricht beschäftigen wir uns mit der Geschichte des KZ Dachau.
In class, we are studying the history of Dachau concentration camp.
Common collocations include „in ein KZ deportiert werden“ (to be deported to a concentration camp), „ein KZ überleben“ (to survive a concentration camp), and „aus einem KZ befreit werden“ (to be liberated from a concentration camp). Pay particular attention to the preposition „aus“ (from) when referring to the liberation of prisoners.
Die Zeitzeugin berichtet, wie sie aus einem KZ befreit wurde.
The eyewitness recounts how she was liberated from a concentration camp.
For movement into the camp, „in“ (into) is used with the accusative: „in ein KZ“ (into a concentration camp). For staying there, „in“ (in) is used with the dative: „in einem KZ“ (in a concentration camp), or „im KZ“ (in the concentration camp) when referring to a specific camp.
Die Gefangenen wurden in ein KZ gebracht.
The prisoners were taken to a concentration camp.
Er war mehrere Jahre in einem KZ gefangen.
He was imprisoned in a concentration camp for several years.
