01
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
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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 that something is put into action. But 'ausführen' is much more general: you can carry out a plan, a task, or an order. 'vollstrecken' is used mainly in the legal field, when a judgment or official order is enforced with coercion. The words can be confused because you could also 'ausführen' a judgment. But 'vollstrecken' is more natural and more precise here when courts, punishments, or authorities are involved.
vollstrecken
Die Behörde kann den Beschluss erst nach der Frist vollstrecken.
The authority can only enforce the decision after the deadline.
ausführen
Das Team führt den Plan Schritt für Schritt aus.
The team carries out the plan step by step.
In real life
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