repression
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repression
The violent suppression of criticism, resistance, or political movements by a state power or another authority.
Das Regime reagierte auf die Proteste mit starker Repression.
The regime responded to the protests with severe repression.
repression
In psychology, the unconscious pushing of unpleasant or painful memories, thoughts, or impulses out of consciousness.
Die Psychoanalyse beschäftigt sich mit der Aufdeckung von Repressionen aus der Kindheit.
Psychoanalysis deals with uncovering repressions from childhood.
To distinguish the meanings, pay attention to the context. In the political sense, you will find words like 'Staat' (state), 'Regime' (regime), or 'Proteste' (protests). In the psychological sense, words like 'Gefühle' (feelings), 'Erinnerungen' (memories), or 'unbewusst' (unconscious) are typical.
Die Opposition beklagte die zunehmende Repression durch die Regierung.
The opposition complained about the increasing repression by the government.
The ending '-ion' is a strong clue that the noun is feminine ('die Repression'). Many international words with this ending are feminine in German.
Die Diskussion über staatliche Repression ist sehr komplex.
The discussion about state repression is very complex.
In a political context, 'Repression' (repression) is often combined with verbs like 'ausüben' (to exercise / exert) or 'erfahren' (to experience). Adjectives like 'politisch' (political), 'staatlich' (state), or 'brutal' (brutal) are also common.
Viele Menschen leiden unter der staatlichen Repression.
Many people suffer under state repression.
This meaning belongs to the specialized language of psychology and psychoanalysis. It describes the unconscious repression of content, often in combinations like 'die Repression von Gefühlen' (the repression of feelings) or 'die Repression von Erinnerungen' (the repression of memories).
Die Repression von Wut kann zu psychischen Problemen führen.
The repression of anger can lead to psychological problems.
oppression / suppression
Unterdrückung and Repression both refer to the use of power that restricts freedom or resistance. Unterdrückung is the broader term and also generally applies to the unjust exercise of power. Repression refers especially to coercive measures by a state or authoritarian power against criticism, resistance, or political movements.
Die Repression des autoritären Staates richtete sich gegen jede öffentliche Kritik.
The authoritarian state's repression was directed against any public criticism.
Die Unterdrückung der Bevölkerung nahm der Gruppe ihre Freiheit und ihre Rechte.
The oppression of the population deprived the group of its freedom and rights.
