Auseinandersetzung

argument

noun ows-ine-AN-der-zet-sung Less Common

Also means

dispute

Usage Note

Auseinandersetzung is a mouthful built from auseinandersetzen and can mean a heated argument or, more neutrally, a serious 'engagement' with a topic: die Auseinandersetzung mit einem Thema. It is more formal and weighty than Streit ('quarrel'). It is feminine: die Auseinandersetzung.

Examples

"Es kam zu einer heftigen Auseinandersetzung."

Natural Translation

A fierce argument broke out.

Literal Translation

It came to a fierce argument.

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