conspiracy
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conspiracy
A secret plan by a group of people to carry out something illegal or harmful together, often directed against a person or institution.
Die Polizei deckte eine Verschwörung zum Sturz der Regierung auf.
The police uncovered a conspiracy to overthrow the government.
conspiracy theory
Refers to a conspiracy theory; the belief that an event or situation is the result of a secret, powerful intrigue.
Er glaubt an die Verschwörung, dass die Pharmaindustrie absichtlich Krankheiten verbreitet.
He believes in the conspiracy theory that the pharmaceutical industry deliberately spreads diseases.
The word is derived from the verb 'sich verschwören' (to conspire). This consists of the prefix 'ver-' and 'schwören' (to swear). A 'Verschwörung' (conspiracy) is therefore the result of people secretly swearing a common oath in order to achieve a goal.
Die Gruppe hatte sich verschworen, um den Direktor zu stürzen.
The group had conspired to overthrow the director.
To name the target or person against whom a secret plan is directed, the preposition 'gegen' (against) with the accusative is almost always used.
Es gab eine Verschwörung gegen den König.
There was a conspiracy against the king.
The context reveals whether a real plan (m01) or a theory (m02) is meant. Verbs like 'aufdecken' (to uncover) or 'planen' (to plan) point to a real plan. Verbs like 'glauben' (to believe) or the word 'Theorie' (theory) point to the idea of a conspiracy.
Der Detektiv deckte eine echte Verschwörung auf.
The detective uncovered a real conspiracy.
In the context of a secret plan, 'Verschwörung' is often combined with verbs like 'anzetteln' (to instigate/start), 'aufdecken' (to uncover/discover), or 'verhindern' (to prevent).
Die Sicherheitskräfte konnten die Verschwörung rechtzeitig verhindern.
The security forces were able to prevent the conspiracy in time.
conspiracy theory
Verschwörung and Verschwörungstheorie can both refer to a secret explanation for an event. Verschwörungstheorie explicitly identifies this explanation as an assumption for which there is no evidence or only insufficient evidence. Verschwörung alone, by contrast, can also refer to an actual secret plan.
Die Polizei entdeckte eine Verschwörung gegen die Leitung des Unternehmens.
The police uncovered a conspiracy against the company’s management.
Für die Behauptung, eine mächtige Gruppe habe das Ereignis geplant, gibt es nur eine Verschwörungstheorie ohne ausreichende Beweise.
The claim that a powerful group planned the event is supported only by a conspiracy theory with insufficient evidence.
