forced laborer
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forced laborer
A person who is forced to work against their will, often under threat of violence or other punishments.
Während des Nationalsozialismus wurden Millionen von Menschen als Zwangsarbeiter in der deutschen Industrie eingesetzt.
During National Socialism, millions of people were used as forced laborers in German industry.
The word is made up of 'Zwang' (coercion/force) and 'Arbeiter' (worker). 'Zwang' means pressure or force. A Zwangsarbeiter is therefore literally a worker who is forced to work.
Die Geschichte der Zwangsarbeiter ist ein dunkles Kapitel.
The history of forced laborers is a dark chapter.
The word belongs to the word family around the verb 'zwingen' (to force). Related terms are 'der Zwang' (coercion) and 'die Zwangsarbeit' (forced labor, the activity itself).
Er wurde zur Zwangsarbeit in einer Fabrik gezwungen.
He was forced into forced labor in a factory.
The term is very strongly associated with the period of National Socialism in Germany. It is mainly used in historical and political discussions about this era.
Viele Unternehmen haben ihre Rolle beim Einsatz von Zwangsarbeitern aufgearbeitet.
Many companies have examined their role in the use of forced laborers.
slave
Both people are forced to work against their will. Sklave additionally refers to the personal status of being the ownerless person's property and having no legal rights. Zwangsarbeiter, by contrast, focuses on the situation of being forced to work, without by itself expressing such a property status.
Der Zwangsarbeiter musste unter Androhung von Gewalt auf dem Feld arbeiten.
The forced laborer had to work in the field under threat of violence.
Der Sklave musste auf dem Feld arbeiten und galt als Eigentum des Gutsherrn.
The slave had to work in the field and was considered the landowner's property.
