liquidation
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liquidation
The winding up and dissolution of a company, in which all assets are sold in order to pay debts and distribute the remaining proceeds to the owners.
Nach Jahren der Verluste beschlossen die Gesellschafter die Liquidation der Firma.
After years of losses, the shareholders decided on the liquidation of the company.
liquidation
The targeted killing or assassination of a person, often for political or criminal motives. This term is usually used as a euphemism for a planned murder.
In dem Spionageroman wurde die Liquidation eines Überläufers befohlen.
In the spy novel, the liquidation of a defector was ordered.
'Liquidation' belongs to the word family of 'liquidieren' (to liquidate, dissolve, kill) and 'liquid' (liquid, solvent). The ending '-ation' always denotes a process or action.
Der Geschäftsführer musste das Unternehmen liquidieren lassen.
The managing director had to have the company liquidated.
You can recognize the meaning from the context. If it is about companies, finances, assets, or debts, it means the dissolution of a company. If it is about people, agents, or political opponents, it means targeted killing.
Die Liquidation des Unternehmens dauerte mehrere Monate.
The liquidation of the company took several months.
In the meaning 'Auflösung eines Unternehmens' (dissolution of a company), 'Liquidation' is a technical term from business and legal language.
Der Anwalt ist auf die Liquidation von Gesellschaften spezialisiert.
The lawyer specializes in the liquidation of companies.
In a business context, the word is often combined with verbs such as 'beschließen' (to decide on) or 'durchführen' (to carry out). A company can also 'in Liquidation gehen' (go into liquidation) or 'in Liquidation sein' (be in liquidation).
Die Firma befindet sich seit letztem Monat in Liquidation.
The company has been in liquidation since last month.
In the meaning 'Tötung' (killing), the word is often used as a euphemism (a softened expression) to describe a planned murder. It sounds more formal and detached.
Der Befehl zur Liquidation des Verräters kam von höchster Stelle.
The order for the liquidation of the traitor came from the highest level.
dissolution / solution / resolution
For a company, Auflösung mainly refers to the formal decision or status that it is being ended. Liquidation describes the subsequent winding-up process, in which assets are sold and debts are paid. Use „Auflösung“ for the beginning of the termination and „Liquidation“ for the practical steps involved in winding things up.
Während der Liquidation wurden die Maschinen verkauft und die Schulden bezahlt.
During the liquidation, the machines were sold and the debts were paid.
Die Gesellschafter beschlossen gestern die Auflösung des Unternehmens.
The shareholders decided to dissolve the company yesterday.
