nötigen

to coerce; to compel by threats

verb NOE-ti-gen Rare

Also means

to urge (someone to eat/drink) — polite sense

Usage Note

nötigen (§240 StGB) is the offence of coercing a person through force or threats; but in everyday social German jemanden zu Kuchen nötigen (to press cake on someone) is the polite-urging sense — context is essential.

Examples

"Er hatte seine Mitarbeiterin genötigt, falsche Aussagen zu machen."

Natural Translation

He had coerced his employee into making false statements.

Literal Translation

He had his (female) employee coerced false statements to make.

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