to give up / to resign
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to give up
To give up hope or resistance and, discouraged, accept a situation perceived as unchangeable.
Nachdem seine Vorschläge immer wieder abgelehnt wurden, begann er zu resignieren.
After his suggestions were rejected again and again, he began to give up.
'Resignieren' usually means to give up hope. It is a false friend of the English 'to resign', which means 'kündigen' (to quit) or 'von einem Amt zurücktreten' (to step down from an office). The second, rarer meaning of 'resignieren' does correspond to the English word, but it is used almost only in formal or historical contexts.
Viele Bürger resignieren, weil sie das Gefühl haben, nichts ändern zu können.
Many citizens give up because they feel they cannot change anything.
If you want to state the reason for the resignation or discouragement, you often use the preposition 'vor' followed by the dative. You resign yourself or give up 'vor' a challenge, a problem, or an overwhelming force.
Der kleine Verein resignierte vor der finanziellen Übermacht der Konkurrenz.
The small club gave up in the face of the competition's financial superiority.
The meaning 'von einem Amt zurücktreten' (to step down from an office) is very formal and rare. It is mainly used in relation to high offices, such as those of a monarch or pope, in historical or very official texts.
Der Papst erklärte, aus gesundheitlichen Gründen zu resignieren.
The pope declared that he would resign for health reasons.
to fight
'kämpfen' and 'resignieren' are often opposites when it comes to a difficult situation. Someone who 'kämpft' makes an effort, keeps looking for a solution, or resists a problem. Someone who 'resigniert' loses hope and gives up inwardly. 'kämpfen' sounds active and determined, while 'resignieren' sounds discouraged and passive. The difference is especially important with problems, illnesses, or unfair situations: you can keep fighting or eventually give up.
Nach der dritten Reparatur resigniert meine Schwester und kauft ein neues Fahrrad.
After the third repair, my sister gives up and buys a new bicycle.
Lukas kämpft trotz vieler Absagen weiter um einen Ausbildungsplatz.
Despite many rejections, Lukas keeps fighting for an apprenticeship position.