world domination
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world domination
Complete political, economic, or military control and power over the entire world.
In dem Comic versucht der Bösewicht, die Weltherrschaft an sich zu reißen.
In the comic, the villain tries to seize world domination.
The word is a compound made up of 'Welt' (world) and 'Herrschaft' (rule / domination). 'Herrschaft' means control or power (from the verb 'herrschen', to rule). So it literally refers to rule over the whole world.
Sein Ziel war nichts Geringeres als die Weltherrschaft.
His goal was nothing less than world domination.
The most common and strongest collocation is 'die Weltherrschaft an sich reißen' (to seize world domination). Other typical verbs are 'nach der Weltherrschaft streben' (to strive for world domination) or 'die Weltherrschaft erlangen' (to attain world domination).
Der Diktator strebte offen nach der Weltherrschaft.
The dictator openly strove for world domination.
The term is often used in fictional stories (films, books, comics) for the plans of villains. In everyday language, it can also be used ironically or exaggeratedly for very ambitious goals.
Mit seiner neuen App plant er quasi die Weltherrschaft im Technologiesektor.
With his new app, he is basically planning world domination in the technology sector.
rule / control
'die Herrschaft' and 'die Weltherrschaft' both describe power and control. 'Herrschaft' is the general term and can refer to a country, a people, or a territory. 'Weltherrschaft' is much stronger and larger in scope: it means control over the whole world. That is why 'Weltherrschaft' often sounds very extreme and fits especially in political, historical, or even fictional stories. If only a specific territory is meant, 'Herrschaft' is more precise.
Im Film plant der Bösewicht die Weltherrschaft mit einer geheimen Maschine.
In the film, the villain plans world domination with a secret machine.
Die Herrschaft des Kaisers endete nach einer langen Krise.
The emperor's rule ended after a long crisis.