sabotage
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sabotage
The deliberate destruction, damage, or obstruction of facilities, processes, or plans, often for political, military, or economic motives.
Der Anschlag auf die Pipeline wurde als Akt der Sabotage eingestuft.
The attack on the pipeline was classified as an act of sabotage.
'Sabotage' belongs to a word family. The related verb is 'sabotieren' (to sabotage), and the person who carries out the act is called 'der Saboteur' (the male saboteur) or 'die Saboteurin' (the female saboteur).
Jemand hat die Bremsen meines Fahrrads sabotiert.
Someone sabotaged the brakes on my bicycle.
To name the target of the sabotage, the preposition 'an' is often used, followed by the dative.
Die Ermittler gehen von Sabotage an der Stromleitung aus.
The investigators suspect sabotage of the power line.
In the literal meaning, 'Sabotage' (sabotage) is often combined with the verb 'verüben' (to commit/perpetrate). Another common phrase is 'ein Akt der Sabotage' (an act of sabotage).
Die Gruppe bekannte sich dazu, den Sabotageakt verübt zu haben.
The group admitted to having committed the act of sabotage.
In the figurative sense, 'Sabotage' (sabotage) describes actions that undermine the success of abstract things such as a project, team morale, or a relationship. The term 'Selbstsabotage' (self-sabotage) is also common in this context.
Mit seiner negativen Einstellung betrieb er Selbstsabotage.
With his negative attitude, he was engaging in self-sabotage.
attack / notice
'der Anschlag' and 'die Sabotage' can both describe deliberate harm. An 'Anschlag' is usually a direct violent attack, often against people or important places. 'Sabotage' more often means that someone deliberately disrupts or damages a facility, a process, or a plan. It does not necessarily have to look like an open attack right away. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with destruction and intent. When people are attacked, 'Anschlag' usually fits; when a system or project is secretly disrupted, 'Sabotage' is more likely to fit.
Die kaputten Kabel waren kein Unfall, sondern Sabotage.
The damaged cables were not an accident, but sabotage.
Nach dem Anschlag sperrte die Polizei den Bahnhof mehrere Stunden lang.
After the attack, the police closed the train station for several hours.