decommissioned / shut down
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decommissioned
Describes something that has been taken out of operation and is no longer used. Often refers to industrial facilities, mines, railway lines, or power plants.
Die alte Bahnstrecke nach Neustadt wurde vor zwanzig Jahren stillgelegt.
The old railway line to Neustadt was decommissioned twenty years ago.
shut down
Describes, in a figurative sense, a process or area that has been brought completely to a halt. Often refers to transport, the economy, or public life.
Durch den Generalstreik war der gesamte öffentliche Nahverkehr lahmgelegt.
Because of the general strike, the entire local public transport system was shut down.
'Stillgelegt' (decommissioned/shut down) is the past participle of the separable verb 'stilllegen' (to shut down/decommission). It is made up of 'still' (quiet, without movement) and 'legen' (to lay/put). Its literal meaning is therefore to put something to rest or take it out of operation.
Die Firma musste den alten Produktionsstandort stilllegen.
The company had to shut down the old production site.
This word is very often used in passive sentences with the verb 'werden' (to become/be) to describe the process of closing something down. It can also stand as an adjective before a noun.
Die Mine wurde letztes Jahr stillgelegt.
The mine was decommissioned last year.
In its main meaning, 'stillgelegt' (decommissioned) is often used for large technical or industrial facilities. Typical examples are: a factory, a mine, a power plant, or an airport.
Das alte Kohlekraftwerk am Fluss ist seit Jahren stillgelegt.
The old coal-fired power plant by the river has been decommissioned for years.
In a figurative sense, the word describes the stopping of processes or systems. Common collocations are: traffic, the economy, production, or public life.
Während des Sturms war der gesamte Zugverkehr stillgelegt.
During the storm, all train traffic was shut down.
closed
For a facility, both words can mean that it is currently not operating. „Geschlossen“ can also refer to a temporary suspension of operations or access, while „stillgelegt“ emphasizes that the facility has been taken out of service and will not be used further. „Geschlossen“ is more suitable for a temporary pause, while „stillgelegt“ is used for a facility that has been permanently abandoned.
Das alte Werk ist seit Jahren stillgelegt und wird nicht mehr genutzt.
The old facility has been decommissioned for years and is no longer used.
Das Werk ist wegen Wartungsarbeiten bis Montag geschlossen.
The facility is closed until Monday for maintenance work.
