der  Mordversuch

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/mɔʁtˈfɛʁzuːx/

📖 What does 'der Mordversuch' mean?

'Der Mordversuch' is a German noun meaning attempted murder. It refers to the criminal act where someone tries to intentionally kill another person (commit a Mord), but this attempt fails, and the victim survives.

It's a specific legal term from criminal law (Strafrecht). The key elements are the decision to commit the crime (Tatentschluss) and the immediate steps taken towards its execution (unmittelbares Ansetzen), even if the intended result (the victim's death) does not occur.

Since it only has one article (der - masculine), there are no different meanings based on the article. 🚨 Be careful: Don't confuse it with 'versuchter Totschlag' (attempted manslaughter), which is legally distinct (lacking specific characteristics of murder, Mordmerkmale).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Der Mordversuch

'Der Mordversuch' is a masculine noun. It follows the strong declension pattern.

Declension

Example Sentences

1. Der Angeklagte wurde wegen des Mordversuchs zu einer langen Haftstrafe verurteilt.
   (The defendant was sentenced to a long prison term for the attempted murder.)
2. Die Polizei ermittelt nach einem brutalen Mordversuch in der Innenstadt.
   (The police are investigating after a brutal attempted murder in the city center.)
3. Es gab in diesem Jahr bereits mehrere Mordversuche in der Region.
   (There have already been several attempted murders in the region this year.)
4. Sie überlebte den Mordversuch nur knapp.
   (She barely survived the attempted murder.)

🗣️ Usage in Context

'Der Mordversuch' is primarily used in legal language (Rechtssprache) and in media reporting on crime.

• Legal Context: Found in indictments (Anklageschriften), judgments (Urteilen), laws (e.g., § 211 StGB combined with §§ 22, 23 StGB), and legal discussions.
• Media: Used in news articles, police reports, and documentaries about serious crimes.
• Colloquial Speech: Used less frequently and usually only when discussing a specific, known crime. One wouldn't casually say "Das war ja ein Mordversuch!" if someone was just clumsy.

Compared to 'versuchter Totschlag' (attempted manslaughter), 'Mordversuch' implies the presence of specific murder characteristics (Mordmerkmale) like greed (Habgier), malice aforethought/treachery (Heimtücke), cruelty (Grausamkeit), etc., during the attempted act.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Remembering the Article

Think: Der is the masculine article. Imagine the perpetrator (often stereotypically male in crime stories, der Täter) making the attempt (der Versuch). So, it's der Mordversuch.

Remembering the Meaning

Break it down: Mord = murder, Versuch = attempt. It's literally a 'murder attempt'. Someone attempts a Mord. Simple!

↔️ Opposites and Similar Terms

Related but Distinct Terms

• Versuchter Totschlag: Attempted manslaughter (attempted killing without meeting the criteria for Mord).
• Gefährliche Körperverletzung: Dangerous bodily harm (used if intent to kill cannot be proven).

😄 A (Legal) Chuckle

Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Warum haben Sie versucht, Ihre Schwiegermutter mit einem Hammer zu erschlagen?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Herr Richter, es war doch nur ein Mordversuch! Ich wollte nur sehen, ob ich den Nagel auf den Kopf treffe!"

English Translation:
The judge asks the defendant: "Why did you try to kill your mother-in-law with a hammer?"
The defendant replies: "Your Honor, it was just an attempted murder! I just wanted to see if I could hit the nail on the head!"

(Please take with a grain of salt, the topic is serious!)

📜 A Rhyme About the Deed

Ein finstrer Plan, im Kopf erdacht,
Ein Schritt zu viel, bei dunkler Nacht.
Die Absicht klar, das Ziel fatal,
Doch scheitert es, zum Glück, diesmal.
Der Vorsatz zählt, die Tat begann,
Der Mordversuch fängt hier schon an.
Vor Gericht wird's nun verhandelt,
Wie knapp am Tod vorbeigehandelt.

English Translation:
A sinister plan, conceived in mind,
A step too far, in darkest night's bind.
The intent clear, the goal was fatal,
But failed this time, thankfully stable.
The intent counts, the act began,
Attempted murder already ran.
In court now, it will be debated,
How close to death was navigated.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Anfang ohne Ende,
Ein schlimmer Plan, der fand die Wende.
Ich bringe Täter vor Gericht,
Obwohl das Opfer starb noch nicht.

Was bin ich?

English Translation:
I am a beginning without an end,
A terrible plan that found a bend.
I bring perpetrators to court's light,
Although the victim didn't lose their life's fight.

What am I?

Solution: Der Mordversuch (Attempted murder)

🧩 Additional Information

Word Composition

'Der Mordversuch' is a compound noun (Kompositum), composed of:

• Der Mord: Murder - the intentional killing of a human being meeting specific legal criteria (Mordmerkmale, e.g., greed, treachery).
• Der Versuch: The attempt - the act of trying to do or achieve something, or in the legal sense, the uncompleted crime.

Legal Context (Germany)

In Germany, Mordversuch is punishable under Section 211 of the German Criminal Code (Strafgesetzbuch, StGB) (Murder) in conjunction with Section 22 (Definition of Attempt) and Section 23(1) (Punishability of Attempt). The sentence can be life imprisonment, but may be mitigated according to Section 23(2) StGB.