enemy of the state
der Staatsfeind, die Staatsfeinde
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enemy of the state
Someone who opposes the existing state order or is considered a threat to the state. Those in power also use the term to persecute political opponents.
Das Regime erklärte den oppositionellen Journalisten zum Staatsfeind.
The regime declared the opposition journalist an enemy of the state.
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Staatsfeinde |
| genitive | des Staatsfeinds |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Staatsfeind | die Staatsfeinde |
| accusative | den Staatsfeind | die Staatsfeinde |
| dative | dem Staatsfeind | den Staatsfeinden |
| genitive | des Staatsfeinds des Staatsfeindes | der Staatsfeinde |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Staatsfeind' is made up of 'Staat' (state) and 'Feind' (enemy). The inserted 's' connects the two parts; literally, the word refers to an enemy of the state.
In dem Roman wird der ehemalige Minister als Staatsfeind dargestellt.
In the novel, the former minister is portrayed as an enemy of the state.
'Staatsfeind' is usually found in political or historical texts and refers to a person from the perspective of state authorities or a political leadership. The word can therefore express an official accusation or a propagandistic label.
Die Regierung bezeichnete die Protestierenden als Staatsfeinde und ließ sie überwachen.
The government labeled the protesters enemies of the state and had them monitored.
Common collocations include 'jemanden zum Staatsfeind erklären' (to declare someone an enemy of the state), 'als Staatsfeind gelten' (to be considered an enemy of the state), and 'Staatsfeinde verfolgen' (to persecute enemies of the state). The word is often used with verbs that express an official classification or persecution by the state.
Nach dem Machtwechsel galten viele ehemalige Funktionäre als Staatsfeinde.
After the change of power, many former officials were considered enemies of the state.
