power
Loading your saved state.
power
The ability or authority to influence, control, or make decisions about other people, groups, or events.
Der Vorstand hat die Macht, über die Zukunft des Unternehmens zu entscheiden.
The board has the power to decide the future of the company.
power
A state or organization with great political, economic, or military influence.
Im 19. Jahrhundert war Großbritannien eine führende Seemacht.
In the 19th century, Great Britain was a leading naval power.
to come to power
To take over political leadership and control in a state.
Die Partei versuchte mit allen Mitteln, bei der nächsten Wahl an die Macht zu kommen.
The party tried by all means to come to power in the next election.
power / force
A higher force, often perceived as supernatural or fateful.
Die alten Seefahrer fürchteten die unberechenbaren Mächte des Ozeans.
The ancient sailors feared the unpredictable powers of the ocean.
to be in someone's power
To be within someone's possibilities or authority.
Ich würde Ihnen gerne eine Ausnahme gewähren, aber das steht leider nicht in meiner Macht.
I would gladly grant you an exception, but unfortunately that is not in my power.
The noun 'Macht' (power) is closely related to the verb 'machen' (to make/do). It describes the ability to cause things to happen or to 'machen' (make/do) things and exert influence.
Ein Diktator kann machen, was er will, denn er hat die absolute Macht.
A dictator can do whatever he wants because he has absolute power.
The prepositions 'an die' and 'an der' have different meanings. 'An die Macht kommen' (accusative; to come to power) describes the process of taking power, while 'an der Macht sein' (dative; to be in power) describes the state of possessing power.
Die Oppositionspartei hofft, bei der nächsten Wahl an die Macht zu kommen.
The opposition party hopes to come to power in the next election.
In connection with influence and control, 'Macht' (power) is often combined with certain verbs. Common phrases are 'Macht ausüben' (to exercise power), 'Macht missbrauchen' (to abuse power), 'die Macht ergreifen' (to seize power), or 'die Macht verlieren' (to lose power).
Manche Politiker missbrauchen ihre Macht für persönliche Vorteile.
Some politicians abuse their power for personal advantage.
'Macht' (power) is often the second part of a compound word used to describe an influential nation or organization. Typical examples are 'Weltmacht' (world power), 'Wirtschaftsmacht' (economic power), 'Atommacht' (nuclear power), or 'Seemacht' (naval power).
China hat sich zu einer globalen Wirtschaftsmacht entwickelt.
China has developed into a global economic power.
In the plural ('die Mächte', the powers), the word often refers to abstract, supernatural, or fateful forces. Typical combinations are 'höhere Mächte' (higher powers) or 'finstere Mächte' (dark powers).
Er glaubte, dass höhere Mächte sein Schicksal lenken.
He believed that higher powers guided his fate.
The idiom 'in jemandes Macht stehen' (to be in someone's power) is rather formal. The structure is: 'Es steht in [possessive pronoun] Macht, etwas zu tun' (It is in [possessive pronoun] power to do something).
Es steht nicht in meiner Macht, die Regeln für Sie zu ändern.
It is not in my power to change the rules for you.
strength / force
Kraft and Macht can both refer to an influence on people or events. Kraft describes an effective energy without necessarily implying control; Macht places more emphasis on the ability to influence or make decisions about others. Kraft is suitable for words or ideas, while Macht is more suitable for control over others.
Die Ärztin hatte die Macht, über die Behandlung des Patienten zu bestimmen.
The doctor had the power to decide on the patient’s treatment.
Die Worte der Ärztin hatten die Kraft, den Patienten wieder zuversichtlich zu machen.
The doctor’s words had the power to make the patient feel confident again.
