tear gas
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tear gas
A chemical irritant that causes severe irritation of the eyes, respiratory tract, and skin on contact and leads to tearing and temporary disorientation. It is often used by the police to disperse crowds.
Die Polizei setzte Tränengas ein, um die gewalttätigen Demonstranten zurückzudrängen.
The police used tear gas to push back the violent protesters.
The word is composed of 'Tränen' (tears) and 'Gas' (gas). So it literally describes a gas that causes tears and makes people cry.
Der Kontakt mit dem Tränengas führte sofort zu starken Schmerzen in den Augen.
Contact with the tear gas immediately caused severe pain in the eyes.
'Tränengas' (tear gas) is very frequently used with the separable verb 'einsetzen' (to use/deploy). The police or security forces use tear gas to control a situation.
Die Sicherheitskräfte drohten damit, Tränengas einzusetzen.
The security forces threatened to use tear gas.
Besides 'einsetzen' (to use/deploy), 'Tränengas' (tear gas) is often combined with verbs such as 'verschießen' (to fire) or 'verwenden' (to use). Protesters can also be 'getroffen werden' (be hit) by tear gas.
Die Polizei verschoss Tränengaskartuschen in die Menge.
The police fired tear gas canisters into the crowd.
pepper spray
Pfefferspray and Tränengas are irritants, but they differ in their active ingredients and typical uses. Pfefferspray contains an active ingredient from chili peppers and is used for self-defense. Tränengas is a chemical irritant often used by the police against crowds.
Die Polizei setzte das Tränengas ein, um die gewalttätige Menschenmenge aufzulösen.
The police used tear gas to disperse the violent crowd.
Die Frau setzte das Pfefferspray ein, um sich gegen den Angreifer zu verteidigen.
The woman used pepper spray to defend herself against the attacker.
