die Entfremdung, -en
alienation
Ein Gefühl, bei dem man sich einer Person, einer Gruppe oder der eigenen Arbeit nicht mehr nahe fühlt und sich innerlich davon distanziert.
The German word "Entfremdung" is a noun that means "alienation" or "estrangement." It is composed of the prefix "ent", which can indicate separation or removal, and "fremd," which means "foreign" or "strange." Thus, "Entfremdung" literally conveys the idea of becoming foreign or estranged from something, often referring to a loss of connection between people, society, or one's own feelings.
Similar words in German include "Entkopplung" (decoupling) and "Distanzierung" (distancing), both of which imply a separation or distancing effect. However, "Entfremdung" specifically emphasizes emotional or social estrangement, while "Entkopplung" and "Distanzierung" can have broader applications in physical or conceptual separations.
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Examples
Die Entfremdung zwischen den Kollegen ist spürbar.noun
The alienation between the colleagues is palpable.
Kritiker warnten vor der Entfremdung in der Großstadt.noun
Critics warned of alienation in the big city.
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