armed force
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armed forces
The totality of a state's military units that serve to defend the country. The term is usually used in the plural ('die Streitkräfte') for the entire army, navy, and air force.
Die Bundeswehr ist die Streitkraft der Bundesrepublik Deutschland.
The Bundeswehr is the armed force of the Federal Republic of Germany.
The word is made up of 'Streit' (conflict, fight) and 'Kraft' (force). A 'Streitkraft' is therefore literally a 'force for conflict' or a 'fighting force'.
Die Streitkräfte sollen den Frieden sichern.
The armed forces are supposed to secure peace.
The word is almost always used in the plural: 'die Streitkräfte' (the armed forces). This refers to a country's entire military (army, navy, air force). The singular 'die Streitkraft' is very rare.
Die Vereinten Nationen haben bewaffnete Streitkräfte in der Region stationiert.
The United Nations has stationed armed forces in the region.
Common verbs used with 'Streitkräfte' (armed forces) are 'einsetzen' (to deploy), 'stationieren' (to station), or belonging to an organization, as in 'den Streitkräften angehören' (to be a member of the armed forces).
Deutschland wird weitere Streitkräfte nach Litauen entsenden.
Germany will send additional armed forces to Lithuania.
army
'die Armee' and 'die Streitkräfte' can both mean a state's military. However, 'die Streitkräfte' is the more precise umbrella term for all military branches, for example the army, navy, and air force. 'die Armee' is often used in a similar way in everyday language, but it can also refer especially to the army or land forces. There is a risk of confusion because both words appear in news and politics. If you very specifically mean all military branches, 'die Streitkräfte' sounds more appropriate. 'die Armee' is more general and often sounds more natural in everyday language.
Die Streitkräfte bestehen aus mehreren Bereichen, darunter Heer, Marine und Luftwaffe.
The armed forces consist of several branches, including the army, navy, and air force.
Nach der Krise baute das Land seine Armee wieder auf.
After the crisis, the country rebuilt its army.