pepper spray
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pepper spray
A spray that contains an irritating active ingredient from chili peppers and is used for self-defense to temporarily incapacitate an attacker.
Sie trug nachts immer ein Pfefferspray in ihrer Handtasche, um sich sicherer zu fühlen.
At night, she always carried pepper spray in her handbag to feel safer.
The word is made up of the parts 'Pfeffer' (pepper) and 'Spray' (spray). So it literally describes a spray that contains a pepper-like, irritating active ingredient.
Der Angreifer wurde durch den Einsatz von Pfefferspray gestoppt.
The attacker was stopped through the use of pepper spray.
In connection with 'Pfefferspray' (pepper spray), the verbs 'einsetzen' (to deploy/use), 'benutzen' (to use), or 'sich verteidigen mit' (to defend oneself with) are often used. The combination 'Pfefferspray bei sich tragen' (to carry pepper spray on oneself) is also very common.
Die Polizei darf Pfefferspray nur in bestimmten Situationen einsetzen.
The police may use pepper spray only in certain situations.
To name the target of the defense, 'Pfefferspray' (pepper spray) is often combined with the preposition 'gegen' (against) and the accusative.
Er benutzte das Pfefferspray gegen den Einbrecher.
He used the pepper spray against the burglar.
tear gas
'das Pfefferspray' and 'das Tränengas' are both irritants that can strongly irritate the eyes and airways. 'Pfefferspray' normally means a small spray used for self-defense against an individual person or an animal. 'Tränengas' sounds more like a chemical agent used, for example, by the police against larger groups. The words are easy to confuse because both have similar effects. 'Pfefferspray' is more natural when talking about a spray can for personal safety, and 'Tränengas' when talking about operations at demonstrations or in crowds.
Sie trägt Pfefferspray in der Tasche, weil sie abends oft allein nach Hause geht.
She carries pepper spray in her bag because she often walks home alone in the evening.
Bei der Demonstration setzte die Polizei Tränengas ein.
At the demonstration, the police used tear gas.