to coerce
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to coerce into
To force someone through pressure, threat, or violence to do something against their will. This is often a legal criminal offense, 'Nötigung' (coercion).
Er wurde mit vorgehaltener Waffe genötigt, den Tresor zu öffnen.
He was coerced at gunpoint into opening the safe.
The verb 'nötigen' (to coerce) is closely related to the noun 'die Not' (distress, predicament). It literally means to put someone in a difficult situation in order to force them to take an action.
Sie fühlte sich durch seine ständigen Anrufe genötigt, die Nummer zu blockieren.
She felt compelled by his constant calls to block the number.
When a person is forced to take an action, you use the structure 'jemanden nötigen, etwas zu tun' (to coerce someone into doing something) or 'jemanden zu etwas nötigen' (to coerce someone into something). The preposition 'zu' introduces the infinitive or a noun.
Man kann mich nicht nötigen, diesen Vertrag zu unterschreiben.
You cannot coerce me into signing this contract.
This word has a very strong, negative meaning and is often used in a legal context. The act of coercing someone, 'Nötigung' (coercion), is punishable by law in Germany.
Der Autofahrer wurde wegen Nötigung im Straßenverkehr angezeigt.
The driver was reported for coercion in road traffic.
The reflexive phrase 'sich genötigt sehen/fühlen' (to feel compelled) describes an internal pressure or pressure created by circumstances, not direct violence. It is often used to justify an unpleasant but necessary action.
Nach den Protesten sah sich der Bürgermeister genötigt, eine Erklärung abzugeben.
After the protests, the mayor felt compelled to make a statement.
to oblige / commit
'verpflichten' and 'nötigen' both have to do with force or obligation. 'verpflichten' usually sounds more neutral and can be based on laws, contracts, or moral rules. It does not have to be aggressive. 'nötigen' is stronger and more negative: someone is made to do something through pressure, threats, or violence. 'sich genötigt fühlen' also means that you feel forced by the situation. If the obligation is official or legally regulated, 'verpflichten' often fits. If it is about unpleasant pressure against someone's will, 'nötigen' is more precise.
Der Mann nötigte den Zeugen, seine Aussage zu ändern.
The man coerced the witness into changing his statement.
Der Vertrag verpflichtet Jonas, die Unterlagen pünktlich abzugeben.
The contract obliges Jonas to submit the documents on time.