Totschlag
German edit
Etymology edit
From tot + Schlag. Compare Dutch doodslag.
Pronunciation edit
- IPA(key): /ˈtoːtˌʃlaːk/ (standard)
- IPA(key): /ˈtoːtˌʃlax/, /-ˌʃlaːx/ (northern and central Germany; now chiefly colloquial)
Audio (file)
Noun edit
Totschlag m (strong, genitive Totschlages or Totschlags, no plural)
- (law) manslaughter; second-degree murder; an unlawful killing of a person which is subject to a milder punishment than murder
Usage notes edit
- The specific definition of Totschlag is distinct from the understanding of “manslaughter” in the Anglophone world. It also varies somewhat between the respective German-speaking countries. Generally, however, Totschlag is an intentional killing that lacks certain aggravating properties. A typical case example of Totschlag is a killing in the heat of the moment.
- In informal contexts, Totschlag is often improperly distinguished from Mord (“murder”) or merged with it. Speakers are likely to use Mord for cases that do not legally qualify as murder.
Declension edit
Declension of Totschlag [sg-only, masculine, strong]
singular | |||
---|---|---|---|
indef. | def. | noun | |
nominative | ein | der | Totschlag |
genitive | eines | des | Totschlages, Totschlags |
dative | einem | dem | Totschlag, Totschlage1 |
accusative | einen | den | Totschlag |
1Now rare, see notes.
Synonyms edit
Derived terms edit
See also edit
Further reading edit
- “Totschlag” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache
- “Totschlag” in Duden online
- Totschlag on the German Wikipedia.Wikipedia de