die
Todesstrafe
⚖️ What does 'die Todesstrafe' mean?
Die Todesstrafe is the German word for the death penalty or capital punishment. It refers to the legally sanctioned killing of a person as the most severe punishment for a crime.
The term is composed of 'Tod' (death) and 'Strafe' (punishment), literally describing a penalty that results in death. It has been abolished in many countries but is still practiced in some, remaining a subject of intense ethical and legal debate.
Because the base word 'Strafe' is feminine (die Strafe), 'Todesstrafe' is also feminine: die Todesstrafe.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Die Todesstrafe
The noun 'Todesstrafe' is feminine. Here is the declension in the singular. The plural ('die Todesstrafen') is used less frequently, usually referring to multiple instances or types of death sentences.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Todesstrafe |
| Genitive | der | Todesstrafe |
| Dative | der | Todesstrafe |
| Accusative | die | Todesstrafe |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Todesstrafen |
| Genitive | der | Todesstrafen |
| Dative | den | Todesstrafen |
| Accusative | die | Todesstrafen |
Example Sentences
- Die Todesstrafe ist in Deutschland abgeschafft.
(The death penalty is abolished in Germany.) - Die Organisation kämpft weltweit gegen die Todesstrafe.
(The organization fights against the death penalty worldwide.) - Die Verhängung der Todesstrafe löste Proteste aus.
(The imposition of the death penalty triggered protests.) - Manche Verbrechen wurden historisch mit der Todesstrafe geahndet.
(Some crimes were historically punished with the death penalty.)
🗣️ How 'die Todesstrafe' is Used
The term 'Todesstrafe' is primarily used in the context of law, politics, ethics, and history.
- Typical Verbs: die Todesstrafe verhängen (to impose), vollstrecken (to execute), abschaffen (to abolish), fordern (to demand), ablehnen (to reject).
- Context: Often found in discussions about human rights, justice systems, crime prevention, and the appropriateness of punishments.
- Debate: The word is central to debates about its legitimacy, effectiveness as a deterrent, and moral justification.
- Comparison: 'Kapitalstrafe' is a synonym. 'Hinrichtung' refers to the act of execution. 'Lebenslange Freiheitsstrafe' (life imprisonment) is often the alternative in countries without the death penalty.
🧠 Mnemonics for Todesstrafe
Article Mnemonic: Think of 'die Strafe' (the punishment). Any punishment, even the ultimate one, is feminine in German. Thus: die Todesstrafe.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine that 'Tod' (death) itself is the ultimate 'Strafe' (punishment). The word perfectly describes this: death as punishment.
↔️ Opposites and Alternatives
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Kapitalstrafe: A more formal, legal term for capital punishment.
- Hinrichtung: Refers specifically to the act of killing, the execution.
- Höchststrafe: (Highest penalty) Can mean the death penalty if it's the most severe sentence available.
Antonyms (Opposites/Alternatives)
- Lebenslange Freiheitsstrafe / Lebenslänglich: Life imprisonment.
- Begnadigung: Pardon or commutation of sentence.
- Abschaffung der Todesstrafe: Abolition of the death penalty (the political act).
⚠️ Caution: Do not confuse 'Todesstrafe' with terms like 'Totschlag' (manslaughter) or 'Mord' (murder), which describe the crimes themselves, not the punishment.
😂 A Little (Serious) Joke
Warum haben Richter manchmal schlechte Laune? Weil sie ständig über Strafen nachdenken müssen – und manche Urteile sind wirklich tödlich ernst!
(Why are judges sometimes in a bad mood? Because they constantly have to think about 'Strafen' (punishments/fines) – and some verdicts are truly 'tödlich ernst' (deadly serious)!)
(Note: Jokes about the death penalty are difficult due to the seriousness of the topic. This one attempts wordplay.)
📜 A Short Poem
Am Ende des Rechts,
ein Urteil so schwer.
Die Todesstrafe,
bringt sie je mehr?
Als Schatten und Leid,
in ewiger Nacht?
Die Frage nach Leben,
wer hat die Macht?
(At the end of law,
a sentence so grave.
The death penalty,
does it ever save
More than shadow and pain,
in eternal night?
The question of life,
who holds the might?)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin die Strafe, final und kalt,
vom Staat verhängt, uralt.
Mein Name klingt nach Ende und Gericht,
in vielen Ländern gibt es mich nicht.
Was bin ich?
(I am the punishment, final and cold,
Imposed by the state, centuries old.
My name sounds of ending and court decree,
In many countries, you won't find me.
What am I?)
Answer: Die Todesstrafe (The death penalty)
💡 More Interesting Facts
- Word Composition: The word is a compound of 'der Tod' (death - genitive form 'des Todes' is used in compounds) and 'die Strafe' (punishment).
- Germany: The death penalty was abolished in the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) with the Basic Law (Grundgesetz) of 1949 (Article 102 GG: "Die Todesstrafe ist abgeschafft." - "The death penalty is abolished."). It was abolished in the GDR (East Germany) in 1987.
- International: The application and legal status of the death penalty vary greatly worldwide. Organizations like Amnesty International advocate for its global abolition.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Todesstrafe?
The noun 'Todesstrafe' is feminine. The correct article is die: die Todesstrafe. This is because the base noun 'Strafe' (punishment) is feminine (die Strafe).