care
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care / custody
Caring supervision, protection, and responsibility for a person, especially a child. Often used in the expression 'jemanden in seine Obhut nehmen' (to take someone into one's care).
Die Großeltern nahmen die Kinder nach dem Tod der Eltern in ihre Obhut.
After the parents' death, the grandparents took the children into their care.
The word 'Obhut' (care/custody) contains the stem of the verb 'hüten', which means 'beschützen' (to protect) or 'bewachen' (to guard). 'Obhut' therefore describes a state of intensive protection and care.
Die wertvollen Dokumente stehen unter der Obhut der Bank.
The valuable documents are under the care of the bank.
'Obhut' (care/custody) is almost always used in fixed expressions. The most common are 'jemanden in seine Obhut nehmen' (to take responsibility for someone / to take someone into one's care) and 'unter jemandes Obhut stehen' (to be under someone's care/protection).
Der Hundetrainer nahm den verängstigten Hund in seine Obhut.
The dog trainer took the frightened dog into his care.
The word 'Obhut' (care/custody) belongs to elevated language or official language. It is often used in formal or legal contexts to emphasize a major, official responsibility.
Dem Vater wurde die alleinige Obhut für das Kind zugesprochen.
The father was granted sole custody of the child.
protection
'der Schutz' and 'die Obhut' can both mean that someone is safe and is not being left alone. However, 'Schutz' is much more general: it can apply to people, things, data, nature, or buildings. 'Obhut' is used mainly for people, especially children or people who need help. It is not only about safety, but also about supervision, care, and responsibility. So 'Schutz' has a broad use, while 'Obhut' is more appropriate when someone is being personally cared for.
Während die Eltern arbeiten, ist das Kind in der Obhut seiner Großmutter.
While the parents are working, the child is in the care of his grandmother.
Nach dem Unterricht trägt das Kind eine Weste zum Schutz im Straßenverkehr.
After school, the child wears a vest for protection in traffic.