die  Tätlichkeit

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈtɛːtlɪçkaɪt/

👊 What exactly is a Tätlichkeit?

Die Tätlichkeit refers to a physical assault or battery against another person. It's a physical act that goes beyond mere touching and is often intended to be insulting or harmful. It is generally considered an unlawful act.

In a legal context ( juristischer Kontext), the term is frequently used and is distinct from (potentially more severe) Körperverletzung (bodily harm), although the lines can be blurry. A Tätlichkeit doesn't necessarily have to cause injury; the mere act of assault (e.g., a push, a punch aimed at the person but missing, spitting) can already be considered a Tätlichkeit.

⚠️ Attention: The term is used less often in everyday language than in legal or formal contexts. In daily life, people are more likely to talk about "handgreiflich werden" (getting physical), a "Schlägerei" (brawl), or an "Angriff" (attack).

Article rules for der, die, and das

The Grammar Behind die Tätlichkeit 🧐

The word "Tätlichkeit" is a feminine noun. Therefore, the article is always die.

Example Sentences

• Dem Angeklagten wurde eine Tätlichkeit vorgeworfen.
  (The defendant was accused of assault/battery.)
• Nach der roten Karte wegen einer Tätlichkeit musste der Spieler das Feld verlassen.
  (After the red card for physical assault, the player had to leave the field.)
• Mehrere Tätlichkeiten führten zu einer Massenschlägerei.
  (Several acts of assault led to a mass brawl.)
• Jede Form von Tätlichkeit wird hier nicht geduldet.
  (Any form of physical assault will not be tolerated here.)

When and How to Use "Tätlichkeit"?

The term die Tätlichkeit is primarily used in formal or specific contexts:

• Law & Justice: Very common in criminal and civil law to describe an unlawful physical attack that doesn't necessarily result in injury (e.g., § 185 of the German Criminal Code - Beleidigung durch Tätlichkeit - insult by assault/battery).
• Sports: Especially in football (soccer) or ice hockey, a Tätlichkeit is penalized as serious foul play, often resulting in a red card or suspension.
• Reporting: News or police reports use the term to describe incidents objectively.
• Formal Rules: House rules or employment contracts might mention the prohibition of Tätlichkeiten.

Distinction:

• Körperverletzung: (Bodily harm) Always involves physical or health damage. A Tätlichkeit can be Körperverletzung, but doesn't have to be.
• Handgreiflichkeit: A more colloquial term for a physical assault, often less formal.
• Beleidigung: (Insult) Can be verbal or through a Tätlichkeit (e.g., spitting).

In everyday conversation, "Tätlichkeit" is rather uncommon. You would more likely say: "Er ist handgreiflich geworden" (He got physical) or "Sie haben sich geschlagen" (They fought/hit each other).

Memory Aids for die Tätlichkeit 🧠

Article Mnemonic: Feminine nouns ending in "-keit" almost always take die (like die Heiterkeit - cheerfulness, die Möglichkeit - possibility). Think: The wickedness (die Gemeinheit) of die assault (Tätlichkeit)! It ends in '-keit', so it's likely 'die'.

Meaning Mnemonic: Think of the "Tat" (deed, act) in Tätlichkeit. A Tätlichkeit is a bad deed ( Tat) done physically – a physical act that harms or insults.

Similar and Opposite Terms ↔️

⚠️ Potential for Confusion

• Tätigkeit: (Activity, occupation, work) Refers to an activity or job in general and has nothing to do with violence (e.g., seine berufliche Tätigkeit - his professional activity). The similarity in sound can lead to misunderstandings.

A Little Joke 😄

Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Warum haben Sie den Mann nur mit einem Stuhlbein angegriffen?"
(The judge asks the defendant: "Why did you attack the man with only a chair leg?")

Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Herr Richter, der Stuhl war neu, den wollte ich nicht wegen so einer Tätlichkeit ganz kaputt machen!"
(The defendant replies: "Your Honor, the chair was new, I didn't want to break it completely just for such an assault!")

Poem about Tätlichkeit 📜

Ein Wort, ein Blick, ein Zorn entfacht,
die Hand erhebt sich in der Nacht.
Die Tätlichkeit, schnell ausgeführt,
hat tiefen Streit und Schmerz geschürt.

Ob Stoß, ob Schlag, ob Spott und Hohn,
es folgt die Strafe, karger Lohn.
Drum halt dich fern von diesem Pfad,
bevor die Reue kommt zu spat.

A word, a glance, a wrath ignited,
A hand raises in the night.
The physical assault, quickly done,
Has stirred deep conflict and pain begun.

Whether push, or blow, or scorn and spite,
Punishment follows, meager plight.
So keep away from this dark way,
Before regret arrives too late to sway.

A Little Riddle 🤔

Ich bin eine Handlung, nicht nur ein Wort,
manchmal im Streit, manchmal im Sport.
Ich verletze die Ehre, manchmal den Leib,
vor Gericht bin ich oft der Zeitvertreib.
Ich brauche keine Waffe, die Hand reicht oft schon,
im Gesetzbuch find' ich meinen Lohn.

Was bin ich?

I am an action, not just a word,
Sometimes in arguments, sometimes in sport heard.
I hurt honor, sometimes the body's frame,
In court, I'm often part of the game.
I need no weapon, the hand is often enough,
In the law books, my recompense is tough.

What am I? (Answer: Die Tätlichkeit / Assault, Battery)

Trivia and Composition 🤓

Word Composition:

The word "Tätlichkeit" is composed of:

• Tat: An act, a deed.
• -lich: A suffix forming adjectives (tätlich = active, physical, aggressive).
• -keit: A suffix forming nouns, expressing a state or quality.

So, literally: The state of being tätlich (physically active/aggressive).

Legal Nuances: The exact distinction between a punishable insult through Tätlichkeit and an (attempted) Körperverletzung (bodily harm) can be complex in individual cases and often depends on the intensity and consequences of the attack.