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.
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.
terror
'der Terror' and 'die Repression' can both have to do with violence, fear, and political power. 'Terror' mainly emphasizes the spreading of fear and terror, often through severe violence, in order to achieve a goal. 'Repression' refers more to the suppression of criticism or resistance by a state or another authority. Learners may confuse the words because both appear in political contexts. In practical terms: terror is meant to create fear; repression is meant to silence or control people.
Nach den Protesten nahm die Repression gegen kritische Journalisten zu.
After the protests, repression against critical journalists increased.
Der Terror der Gruppe verbreitete in der ganzen Stadt Angst.
The terror caused by the group spread fear throughout the city.