plea / argument
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closing argument
In a legal context, the summarizing closing statement by the prosecution or defense in a court case. The word is a noun (das Plädoyer).
In seinem Plädoyer forderte der Staatsanwalt die Höchststrafe für den Angeklagten.
In his closing argument, the prosecutor demanded the maximum sentence for the defendant.
plea / argument
In a figurative sense, an engaged, passionate speech or text that advocates for a particular cause or defends it. The word is a noun (das Plädoyer).
Ihr neues Buch ist ein eindrucksvolles Plädoyer für mehr Menschlichkeit.
Her new book is an impressive plea for more humanity.
A Plädoyer (plea/argument) is often made for or against something. For this, you use the prepositions 'für' (for) or 'gegen' (against), followed by the accusative.
Der Anwalt hielt ein emotionales Plädoyer für seinen Mandanten.
The lawyer made an emotional plea for his client.
Even if it is listed differently in the input, 'Plädoyer' (plea/argument) is always a neuter noun in German: das Plädoyer. It is not used as an adjective.
Das Plädoyer der Staatsanwältin dauerte fast eine Stunde.
The prosecutor's closing argument lasted almost an hour.
You can recognize the legal meaning from words like 'Gericht' (court), 'Anklage' (prosecution), or 'Verteidigung' (defense). The figurative meaning usually refers to social or personal topics such as 'Umweltschutz' (environmental protection), 'Gerechtigkeit' (justice), or 'Freiheit' (freedom).
Das Plädoyer der Verteidigung überzeugte das Gericht nicht.
The defense's closing argument did not convince the court.
In a legal context, the phrase 'ein Plädoyer halten' (to make a closing argument) is often used. People also speak of the 'Plädoyer der Anklage' (the prosecution's closing argument) or the 'Plädoyer der Verteidigung' (the defense's closing argument).
Am Ende des Prozesses hielten beide Seiten ihre Plädoyers.
At the end of the trial, both sides made their closing arguments.
In the figurative meaning, 'Plädoyer' (plea/argument) is often combined with strong adjectives to emphasize passion, e.g. 'ein leidenschaftliches Plädoyer' (a passionate plea), 'ein eindringliches Plädoyer' (an urgent plea), or 'ein flammendes Plädoyer' (an impassioned plea).
Die Rede der Präsidentin war ein leidenschaftliches Plädoyer für den Frieden.
The president's speech was a passionate plea for peace.
statement
Both words can refer to a text expressing a clear position. A „Stellungnahme“ usually presents an opinion or assessment in a formal and factual way. A „Plädoyer“, by contrast, advocates for a cause with commitment or passion and tries to convince others of it.
Die Ärztin hielt ein leidenschaftliches Plädoyer für die geplante Reform.
The doctor made a passionate plea in favor of the planned reform.
Die Ärztin erklärte in ihrer Stellungnahme sachlich ihre Einschätzung der geplanten Reform.
In her statement, the doctor presented her assessment of the planned reform in a factual manner.
