die Verteidigung
defense
The protection of someone or something against an attack.
EXAMPLE
Die Stadtmauer diente der Verteidigung gegen feindliche Angriffe.
The city wall served as defense against enemy attacks.
die Verteidigung
defense
die Verteidigung, die Verteidigungen
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Meanings
die Verteidigung
defense
In the legal sense, the person or group of lawyers who represent a defendant in court.
EXAMPLE
Die Verteidigung plädierte auf nicht schuldig.
The defense pleaded not guilty.
die Verteidigung
defense
In sports, the part of a team whose main task is to repel the opponent's attacks and prevent goals.
EXAMPLE
Unsere Fußballmannschaft hat eine sehr starke Verteidigung.
Our soccer team has a very strong defense.
die Verteidigung
defense
The entirety of a state's military resources and institutions for protection against attacks from outside.
EXAMPLE
Der Minister ist für die Verteidigung des Landes zuständig.
The minister is responsible for the defense of the country.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Verteidigung, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Verteidigungen |
| genitive | der Verteidigung |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Verteidigung | die Verteidigungen |
| accusative | die Verteidigung | die Verteidigungen |
| dative | der Verteidigung | den Verteidigungen |
| genitive | der Verteidigung | der Verteidigungen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word family
'Die Verteidigung' (defense) is the noun corresponding to the verb 'verteidigen' (to defend). The ending '-ung' turns the verb into a feminine noun that describes the action or the result. If you know the verb, you can easily understand the noun.
EXAMPLE
Die Soldaten üben die Verteidigung der Brücke.
The soldiers practice the defense of the bridge.
Er musste sich gegen die Vorwürfe verteidigen.
He had to defend himself against the accusations.
Context clue: law
In a legal context, you can recognize this meaning from words such as 'Gericht' (court), 'Angeklagter' (defendant), 'Anwalt' (lawyer), or 'Staatsanwaltschaft' (public prosecutor's office). Here, the defense is the opposite of the prosecution.
EXAMPLE
Die Verteidigung konnte neue Beweise vorlegen.
The defense was able to present new evidence.
Der Anwalt übernahm die Verteidigung des Angeklagten.
The lawyer took over the defense of the defendant.
Context clue: sports
In a sports context, you can recognize this meaning from words such as 'Mannschaft' (team), 'Angriff' (attack), 'Tor' (goal), or 'Spieler' (player). Here, the defense is the part of the team that is supposed to prevent the opponent's goals.
EXAMPLE
Die Mannschaft hat Probleme in der Verteidigung.
The team has problems in defense.
Der Trainer wechselte einen Spieler für die Verteidigung ein.
The coach substituted in a player for the defense.
Typical preposition
To express the purpose or goal of protection, the preposition 'zur' is often used. A common fixed expression is also 'Selbstverteidigung' (self-defense).
EXAMPLE
Er kaufte ein Spray zur Selbstverteidigung.
He bought a spray for self-defense.
Diese Maßnahmen dienen zur Verteidigung unserer Daten.
These measures serve to defend our data.
Typical collocations
In a military or state context, 'Verteidigung' (defense) is often combined with words such as 'Land' (country), 'Ministerium' (ministry), or 'Budget' (budget). Examples are 'Landesverteidigung' (national defense) or 'Verteidigungsministerium' (Ministry of Defense).
EXAMPLE
Das Budget für die Verteidigung wurde erhöht.
The budget for defense was increased.
Die nationale Verteidigung ist eine Kernaufgabe des Staates.
National defense is a core responsibility of the state.
Compare with
Verteidigung vs Schutz
protection
Schutz and Verteidigung are intended to prevent harm caused by an attack. Schutz generally refers to safeguarding or a state of safety, often provided by a measure or barrier. Verteidigung emphasizes actively repelling a specific attack.
Verteidigung
Bei einem Angriff übernehmen die Soldaten die Verteidigung der Stadt.
In the event of an attack, the soldiers take charge of defending the city.
Schutz
Die starke Mauer bietet der Stadt Schutz vor möglichen Angriffen.
The strong wall protects the city from possible attacks.
In real life
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