Zurückgewiesen
Wojciech Bąkowski, Tatjana Danneberg, Nancy Lupo

The German term “Zurückgewiesen” emphasises movement away or return (“zurück” meaning “back”), and typically describes situations where something or someone is directed back to their starting point.

In the context of asylum and immigration law, authorities may deny entry to individuals who fail to meet admission criteria or face existing restrictions. This occurs at the border checkpoint before the person crosses into the country’s territory. It differs from deportation, which involves removing someone who has already established a presence within national boundaries.

“Zurückgewiesen” in personal relationships describes an active stance of pushing away or refusing someone’s attempt to form a connection. The German term implies a deliberate action – the conscious choice to distance oneself from another person’s social or romantic overtures. The “zurück” (back) component emphasises the action of creating distance, establishing or reinforcing boundaries between oneself and the person seeking connection.