public debt
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public debt
The state or process in which a country takes on debt and increases its financial obligations. The term is often used synonymously with 'Staatsschuld' (national debt) to refer to the total amount of debt.
Die hohe Staatsverschuldung schränkt den Handlungsspielraum der Regierung ein.
The high public debt limits the government's room for action.
The word consists of 'Staat' (state) and 'Verschuldung' (debt / indebtedness). 'Verschuldung' comes from the verb 'sich verschulden' (to get into debt) and describes the process or result of taking on debt. So the focus here is on the process.
Die Staatsverschuldung ist ein dynamischer Prozess.
Public debt is a dynamic process.
Since the word describes a process, it is often combined with verbs that express control or limitation. Common phrases are 'die Staatsverschuldung eindämmen' (to curb public debt), 'die Staatsverschuldung bekämpfen' (to fight public debt), or 'die Staatsverschuldung bremsen' (to slow public debt).
Die Opposition fordert Maßnahmen, um die wachsende Staatsverschuldung einzudämmen.
The opposition is calling for measures to curb the growing public debt.
'Staatsverschuldung' (public debt) is a term used mainly in economic and political reporting. It belongs to formal written language.
In der Debatte ging es um die Ursachen der hohen Staatsverschuldung.
The debate was about the causes of the high public debt.
national debt
Staatsschuld and Staatsverschuldung can both refer to a state’s total debt. Staatsschuld tends to emphasize the existing amount of debt, while Staatsverschuldung can also highlight the state or process of increasing debt. Staatsschuld is usually the better choice for a specific amount, while Staatsverschuldung is often used for the development or problem of growing debt.
Die Staatsverschuldung steigt weiter, weil der Staat neue Kredite aufnehmen muss.
Public debt continues to rise because the government has to take out new loans.
Die Staatsschuld des Landes beträgt inzwischen mehrere Milliarden Euro.
The country's national debt now amounts to several billion euros.
