noun
asylum, refuge
B1
Means 'asylum' or 'refuge', often 'political asylum'. German gender is neuter: das Asyl. Plural is die Asyle (not Asylen). Genitive singular can be des Asyls; dative plural den Asylen. Formal/legal usage common (Asyl beantragen, Asyl gewähren). Used mainly in legal and migration contexts; often appears in compounds (Asylbewerber).
Examples
Das Gericht gewährte dem Flüchtling Asyl, weil die Dokumente überzeugend waren.
The court granted asylum to the refugee because the documents were convincing.
Er fand als Kriegsflüchtling Zuflucht und Asyl.
As a war refugee, he found shelter and refuge.
Viele Menschen suchen in anderen Ländern Asyl.
Many people seek asylum in other countries.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture a building with a sign 'Asyl' offering shelter and safety.
Sounds like 'a-sill' — imagine a silent safe place.
das — imagine 'das Haus' (the house) as a shelter; Asyl is a shelter (neuter).
Notes
Often used in legal and political contexts; can be countable (Asyle) but also uncountable in some uses.