Totschlag
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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
