tightening / intensification
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tightening / intensification
Making something stricter, harsher, or more intense, for example laws, checks, or a conflict.
Die Regierung kündigte eine Verschärfung der Sicherheitsmaßnahmen am Flughafen an.
The government announced a tightening of security measures at the airport.
The word is derived from the adjective 'scharf' (sharp/strict). The verb 'verschärfen' means to make something 'schärfer' (sharper) in the sense of stricter or more intense. 'Die Verschärfung' is the process or result of that.
Die Kritik an seiner Arbeit hat sich zuletzt verschärft.
The criticism of his work has intensified recently.
'Verschärfung' is a formal word used mainly in written language, in the news, political debates, and official documents.
In den Nachrichten wurde über eine Verschärfung der Einreiseregeln berichtet.
The news reported on a tightening of the entry rules.
This noun is very often used in fixed combinations. Typical examples are 'die Verschärfung der Gesetze' (the tightening of the laws), 'der Kontrollen' (of the checks), 'der Maßnahmen' (of the measures), or 'eines Konflikts' (of a conflict).
Eine Verschärfung der Lage muss unbedingt vermieden werden.
An intensification of the situation must absolutely be avoided.
The thing that is being tightened or intensified usually comes directly after the noun in the genitive. This structure is very typical in formal texts.
Die Verschärfung der Sicherheitsvorkehrungen war eine Reaktion auf den Vorfall.
The tightening of the safety precautions was a reaction to the incident.
reinforcement
'die Verstärkung' and 'die Verschärfung' can both mean that something becomes stronger or more intense. The difference lies in the area of use and the evaluation. 'die Verstärkung' is usually neutral or positive: something becomes stronger, more stable, or more effective. 'die Verschärfung' is used more for rules, checks, laws, or conflicts. It means that something becomes stricter, harsher, or more serious. The words can be confused because both express an increase. When it is about more strength or support, 'Verstärkung' fits; when something becomes stricter or more problematic, 'Verschärfung' fits.
Nach dem Vorfall gibt es eine Verschärfung der Kontrollen am Eingang.
After the incident, there will be a tightening of checks at the entrance.
Zur Vorbereitung braucht das Dach eine Verstärkung, damit es den Schnee tragen kann.
In preparation, the roof needs reinforcement so that it can support the snow.