self-defense
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self-defense
The act of defending oneself against an attack, often by physical means. It is the right to defend oneself against an unlawful attack.
Sie besucht einen Kurs für Selbstverteidigung, um sich sicherer zu fühlen.
She is taking a self-defense course to feel safer.
The word is made up of 'Selbst' (self) and 'Verteidigung' (defense). So it literally means defending oneself, which makes it easier to understand.
Im Kurs lernt man Techniken zur Selbstverteidigung.
In the course, you learn techniques for self-defense.
The noun 'Selbstverteidigung' is derived directly from the reflexive verb 'sich verteidigen' (to defend oneself). When you defend yourself, you practice self-defense.
Der Angeklagte sagte, er habe aus reiner Selbstverteidigung gehandelt.
The defendant said he had acted purely in self-defense.
In the context of physical defense, the word is often combined with verbs like 'lernen' (to learn) or 'üben' (to practice). The phrase 'einen Kurs für Selbstverteidigung besuchen' (to take a self-defense course) is also very common.
Viele Frauen möchten Selbstverteidigung lernen.
Many women want to learn self-defense.
You can recognize the figurative meaning from the context. If it is about criticism, accusations, or decisions, it means justification. If it is about a physical attack, it means physical defense.
Seine E-Mail war weniger eine Erklärung als eine lange Selbstverteidigung.
His email was less an explanation than a long self-defense.
defense
'die Verteidigung' and 'die Selbstverteidigung' both have to do with warding off an attack. 'die Verteidigung' is more general: you can defend a person, a house, a country, or even a goal in sports. 'die Selbstverteidigung' more specifically means that you protect yourself against an attack, often physically. The words can be confused because self-defense is a special kind of defense. When it is about oneself, 'Selbstverteidigung' is more precise.
Im Kurs lernt Lena einfache Techniken zur Selbstverteidigung.
In the course, Lena is learning simple self-defense techniques.
Die Verteidigung des Hauses war während des Sturms schwierig.
Defending the house was difficult during the storm.