authorities
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authorities
Refers collectively to the state, official, or church institutions that exercise power over citizens. The term is often used to describe the government or administration from the perspective of a subject or citizen, and today it often has a slightly old-fashioned or critical undertone.
Die Dorfbewohner legten sich aus Protest gegen die neuen Steuern mit der Obrigkeit an.
The villagers challenged the authorities in protest against the new taxes.
The word 'Obrigkeit' (authorities) is derived from the adjective 'ober' (upper/higher). So it literally refers to 'die Oberen' (those above) or the institutions that stand above ordinary citizens.
Historisch gesehen musste man den Anweisungen der Obrigkeit Folge leisten.
Historically, people had to follow the instructions of the authorities.
'Obrigkeit' (authorities) is not a neutral word for 'Regierung' (government). It has an old-fashioned or critical sound and is often used to express a distant or submissive relationship to power.
In seinen Schriften kritisierte er die Willkür der Obrigkeit.
In his writings, he criticized the arbitrariness of the authorities.
'Obrigkeit' (authorities) is a collective term and is used almost exclusively in the singular. One speaks of 'der Obrigkeit' (the authorities) as a whole, not of individual 'Obrigkeiten' (authorities).
Der Respekt vor der Obrigkeit hat in den letzten Jahrzehnten abgenommen.
Respect for the authorities has decreased in recent decades.
Common verbs used with 'Obrigkeit' (authorities) describe a relationship to it. Typical phrases are 'sich der Obrigkeit widersetzen' (to resist the authorities), 'sich mit der Obrigkeit anlegen' (to challenge the authorities), or 'die Obrigkeit fürchten' (to fear the authorities).
Er war bekannt dafür, sich der Obrigkeit zu widersetzen.
He was known for resisting the authorities.
government
Regierung specifically refers to the political leadership of a state. Obrigkeit means state, official, or church authorities viewed from the perspective of citizens and often sounds old-fashioned or critical today. Use Regierung for a specific political leadership, and Obrigkeit for distanced criticism of higher authorities.
Die Bürger werfen der Obrigkeit vor, ihre Sorgen grundsätzlich zu ignorieren.
The citizens accuse the authorities of ignoring their concerns entirely.
Die Bürger kritisieren die Regierung wegen ihrer neuen Steuerpolitik.
The citizens criticize the government over its new tax policy.
