eingreifen

Eingreifen is a German verb meaning to intervene or to interfere, to step in to influence a situation or processes. It can denote deliberate action by individuals, authorities, or systems to affect outcomes in domains such as politics, law, economy, technology, medicine, or everyday life. The term emphasizes taking hold within an ongoing sequence of events rather than passive observance.

Etymology and usage notes: eingreifen is formed from the prefix ein- (into, in) and greifen (to grasp, seize). In many contexts it implies an active, sometimes decisive, intervention to prevent harm, correct a course, or stabilize a situation. The noun form das Eingreifen refers to the act of intervention or interference and can describe both political or technical actions.

Contexts

- Politics and law: government or international actors may militärisch eingreifen (military intervention) or wirtschaftlich eingreifen (intervene in the economy) to address crises, stabilize markets, or enforce policies.

- Security and public order: authorities may eingreifen to restore safety, often by measures that limit freedoms or suspend normal procedures.

- Technology and engineering: in control systems, a sensor or controller greift ein to prevent faults or regulate a process; automatisches Eingreifen denotes automatic intervention.

- Medicine and social relations: clinicians or caregivers may eingreifen in treatment plans; individuals may eingreifen in conversations or disputes to mediate.

Forms and related terms: das Eingreifen (noun), eingreifend (adjective, intervening), and related verbs such as einschreiten (to step in, often with a more forceful connotation).

Examples: Die Behörden greifen ein, um die Lage zu beruhigen. Die Zentralbank hat in den Markt eingegriffen. Eine Sicherheitsfunktion greift ein, wenn Grenzwerte überschritten werden.