die  Körperverletzung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈkœʁpɐfɛɐ̯ˌlɛt͡sʊŋ/

📖 What does "Körperverletzung" mean?

Die Körperverletzung is a term primarily used in a legal context. It means bodily harm, physical injury, or assault inflicted upon another person.

In German criminal law, simple bodily harm (einfache Körperverletzung) is defined in Section 223 of the German Criminal Code (Strafgesetzbuch - StGB). There are different forms:

• Einfache Körperverletzung (§ 223 StGB): Simple bodily harm - Any ill-treatment physically harming another person or impairing their health, or causing or increasing a pathological condition.
• Gefährliche Körperverletzung (§ 224 StGB): Dangerous bodily harm - An aggravated form, e.g., using poison, a weapon or other dangerous instrument, by means of a malicious ambush, jointly with another participant, or by means of treatment endangering life.
• Schwere Körperverletzung (§ 226 StGB): Serious bodily harm - When the injury leads to specific permanent consequences, e.g., loss of an important limb, sight, hearing, speech, or reproductive capacity.

🚨 Attention: Attempted bodily harm (versuchte Körperverletzung) is also punishable!

Colloquially, the term might sometimes be used for unintentional injuries, but its core meaning refers to a criminal offense.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Check: Die Körperverletzung

The word "Körperverletzung" is a feminine noun. Therefore, the correct article is die.

It's a compound noun made from "der Körper" (the body) and "die Verletzung" (the injury). The gender is determined by the last part of the compound ("Verletzung"), making it feminine: "die Körperverletzung".

Declension (Beugung)

Here are the declension tables for "die Körperverletzung":

Singular

Plural

The plural is formed by adding "-en": Körperverletzungen. It's used when referring to multiple instances of bodily harm.

Example Sentences

1. Dem Angeklagten wird Körperverletzung vorgeworfen.
   (The defendant is accused of bodily harm.)
2. Nach dem Unfall musste er wegen diverser Körperverletzungen behandelt werden.
   (After the accident, he had to be treated for various physical injuries.)
3. Die Staatsanwaltschaft ermittelt wegen des Verdachts der gefährlichen Körperverletzung.
   (The public prosecutor's office is investigating on suspicion of dangerous bodily harm.)

🗣️ How and When to Use "Körperverletzung"

"Körperverletzung" is primarily a legal term. You will often encounter it in the following contexts:

• Criminal Law: In indictments (Anklageschriften), court verdicts (Gerichtsurteilen), police reports (Polizeiberichten), and legal discussions.
• News Reports: When reporting on crimes (Straftaten), fights (Schlägereien), or accidents with legal consequences.
• Insurance: In connection with liability (Haftpflicht) or accident insurance (Unfallversicherung) regarding claims for damages (Schadensersatzansprüche).
• Medical Law: In cases of medical malpractice (Behandlungsfehler) that could be considered bodily harm (e.g., surgery without sufficient informed consent).

Everyday Use:

In everyday language, the term is less common. People are more likely to talk about a "Verletzung" (injury), an "Unfall" (accident), a "Schlägerei" (brawl), or "jemandem wehtun" (hurting someone). Using "Körperverletzung" usually implies a certain severity and often legal relevance.

Distinction from similar terms:

• Misshandlung (Mistreatment/Abuse): Often part of Körperverletzung (körperliche Misshandlung - physical mistreatment), but can also include psychological aspects. In the German Criminal Code, physical mistreatment is one of the two alternatives constituting Körperverletzung.
• Tätlichkeit (Assault/Battery): Refers to a physical attack on a person that does not necessarily result in injury (e.g., spitting, a light push). Körperverletzung usually involves more than just a Tätlichkeit.
• Verletzung (Injury): A general term for any kind of wound or damage, including unintentional ones (e.g., Sportverletzung - sports injury). "Körperverletzung" emphasizes the aspect of harm caused to another person, often intentionally or negligently.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Mnemonic for the Article (die):

Like many nouns ending in "-ung" in German (Heizung, Zeitung, Meinung), Körperverletzung is feminine. Remember: the ending "-ung" sings a feminine tune, so it's die Verletzung, and thus die Körperverletzung.

Mnemonic for the Meaning:

Imagine your "Körper" (body) getting a "Verletzung" (injury) from someone else. That's a crime! It helps to break it down: Körper (body) + Verletzung (injury) = Bodily Injury/Harm.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Watch out for similar words:

• Selbstverletzung: Self-harm (injury inflicted upon oneself, not punishable as Körperverletzung against others).
• Sachbeschädigung: Property damage (damage to objects, not persons).

😂 A Little Joke

Deutsch: Warum hat der Anwalt immer ein Pflaster dabei? – Falls er sich bei der Verteidigung wegen Körperverletzung mal wieder selbst ins Knie schießt! 😉🩹

English: Why does the lawyer always carry a band-aid? – In case he shoots himself in the foot again while defending a bodily harm case! 😉🩹

(Please note: This joke is not intended to diminish the seriousness of the topic.)

📜 A Little Poem

Deutsch:
Der Körper, einst heil und ganz,
erfährt durch Fremde Schmerz und Schwanz.
Ein Stoß, ein Schlag, es tut so weh,
die Körperverletzung, ach und weh.
Das Recht tritt auf den Plan sodann,
damit Gerechtigkeit walten kann.
§ 223, klar und rein,
schützt unser körperliches Sein.

English Translation:
The body, once whole and sound,
experiences pain from others around.
A push, a blow, it hurts so much,
the bodily harm, a painful touch.
The law then enters the scene,
so justice can intervene.
§ 223, clear and pure,
protects our physical being, for sure.

🤔 A Little Riddle about "Körperverletzung"

Deutsch:
Ich bin kein Unfall, meist gewollt,
und sorge dafür, dass es grollt.
Ich schädige Leib und Wohlbefinden,
vor Gericht wird man mich oft finden.
Mein Artikel ist feminin, das ist klar,
im Strafgesetzbuch steh' ich Jahr für Jahr.

Was bin ich?
Lösung: die Körperverletzung

English Translation:
I'm not an accident, mostly intended,
and I cause resentment, it's comprehended.
I harm body and well-being,
in court, you'll often be seeing... me.
My article is feminine, that's clear,
in the criminal code, I appear year after year.

What am I?
Answer: die Körperverletzung (bodily harm)

💡 Other Information

Word Composition:

The word "Körperverletzung" is a compound noun (Kompositum):

• Der Körper: Means "the body".
• Die Verletzung: Means "the injury" or "violation".

Together, they signify an injury or violation inflicted upon the body.

Legal Context:

• Sections §§ 223 ff. StGB (German Criminal Code) form the core of this offense category in German law.
• There are various qualifications and consequences (gefährliche KV - dangerous bodily harm, schwere KV - serious bodily harm, KV mit Todesfolge § 227 StGB - bodily harm resulting in death).
• Negligent bodily harm (fahrlässige Körperverletzung, § 229 StGB) is also a punishable offense (injury caused by carelessness).