vollstrecken
to enforce
To forcibly enforce or carry out a court judgment, decision, or other official order.
EXAMPLE
Der Gerichtsvollzieher wurde beauftragt, die Pfändung zu vollstrecken.
The bailiff was instructed to enforce the seizure.
vollstrecken
to enforce / execute
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Meanings
vollstrecken
to execute
To carry out a death sentence; to execute someone.
EXAMPLE
In vielen Staaten der USA wird die Todesstrafe noch vollstreckt.
In many U.S. states, the death penalty is still executed.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Vollstrecken' is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'voll-' remains firmly attached to the verb stem in all sentence forms and tenses.
EXAMPLE
Das Urteil wurde gestern vollstreckt.
The judgment was enforced yesterday.
Register: official language
This verb belongs to formal legal and administrative language. It is practically not used in normal everyday life.
EXAMPLE
Im Schreiben steht, dass die Zwangsvollstreckung nächste Woche vollstreckt wird.
The letter says that the compulsory enforcement will be carried out next week.
Context clue: judgment
You can recognize the meaning 'ein Urteil durchsetzen' (to enforce a judgment) from the accusative object. Typical objects are 'ein Urteil' (a judgment), 'ein Beschluss' (a decision), 'eine Strafe' (a punishment), or 'eine Pfändung' (a seizure).
EXAMPLE
Die Behörde hat den Beschluss sofort vollstreckt.
The authority enforced the decision immediately.
Context clue: death penalty
In the meaning 'hinrichten' (to execute), the object is almost always 'das Todesurteil' (the death sentence) or 'die Todesstrafe' (the death penalty).
EXAMPLE
Das Todesurteil wurde im Morgengrauen vollstreckt.
The death sentence was carried out at dawn.
Compare with
vollstrecken vs ausführen
to carry out / to elaborate / to export
Ausführen and vollstrecken can both mean carrying out an order or directive. Ausführen is general and fits an ordinary command or plan, for example; vollstrecken refers to the forcible enforcement of a court or official order. When legal coercion is involved, vollstrecken is therefore the more appropriate choice.
vollstrecken
Die Behörde vollstreckte die gerichtliche Anordnung gegen den Schuldner.
The authorities enforced the court order against the debtor.
ausführen
Der Mitarbeiter führte den Befehl seines Vorgesetzten sofort aus.
The employee immediately carried out his supervisor’s order.
In real life
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