to strike / stop working
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to strike
For an organized group of employees to refuse to work in order to enforce certain demands, such as higher wages or better working conditions.
Die Mitarbeiter der Fluggesellschaft streiken für mehr Gehalt.
The airline employees are striking for higher pay.
to stop working
Colloquially, used for the state when a device, machine, or even a body part suddenly no longer works.
Mitten in der Präsentation hat mein Laptop gestreikt.
In the middle of the presentation, my laptop stopped working.
The meaning of 'streiken' (to strike / stop working) depends on the subject. When people 'streiken' (strike), they refuse to work. When a device or body part 'streikt' (stops working), it no longer functions.
Die Piloten streiken morgen für bessere Arbeitszeiten.
The pilots are striking tomorrow for better working hours.
The word 'streiken' (to strike) was borrowed from the English 'to strike' in the 19th century. The basic meaning of stopping work is the same in both languages.
In vielen Ländern ist das Recht zu streiken gesetzlich verankert.
In many countries, the right to strike is enshrined in law.
When stating the reason for a strike, you use the preposition 'für' (+ accusative) for the goal or 'gegen' (+ accusative) for the problem.
Die Angestellten streiken für einen neuen Tarifvertrag.
The employees are striking for a new collective agreement.
The meaning 'to no longer function' is colloquial. It is often used humorously or ironically for devices, machines, or even body parts.
Ich kann dir die E-Mail nicht schicken, weil mein Internet streikt.
I can't send you the email because my internet has stopped working.
to fail / to deny
Both versagen and streiken can say that a device or body part suddenly stops working. Versagen describes, in factual terms, a failure to perform the expected function, while streiken sounds colloquial and personifying. Versagen is more suitable in a neutral description; streiken may sound more natural in casual conversation.
Auf der langen Fahrt streikte plötzlich die Klimaanlage.
The air conditioning suddenly stopped working during the long drive.
Auf der langen Fahrt versagte plötzlich die Klimaanlage.
The air conditioning suddenly failed during the long drive.
