Nomen

die Ersatzfreiheitsstrafe

substitute custodial sentence, imprisonment in default of payment

Ohne Zahlung droht eine Ersatzfreiheitsstrafe.

Without payment, there is a threat of a substitute custodial sentence.

Er trat seine Ersatzfreiheitsstrafe an.

He began his substitute custodial sentence.

to serve a substitute custodial sentence Er muss die Ersatzfreiheitsstrafe antreten.

Freiheitsentzug (deprivation of liberty), Haftstrafe (prison sentence)

A compound noun: 'Ersatz' (substitute) + 'Freiheit' (freedom) + '-s-' (linking element) + 'Strafe' (punishment). A punishment that takes freedom as a substitute for a fine.

Break it down: An 'Ersatz' (substitute) for a fine is a 'Strafe' (punishment) that costs you your 'Freiheit' (freedom).

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