die  Tötung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈtøːtʊŋ/

📖 What does 'die Tötung' mean?

Die Tötung refers to the act or process of taking the life of a living being, especially a human. It's a general umbrella term for causing death.

In a legal context, finer distinctions are often made, for example between:

• Mord (murder): Killing with specific characteristics (e.g., malice aforethought, greed).
• Totschlag (manslaughter/homicide without qualifying as murder): Intentional killing without the specific characteristics of Mord.
• Fahrlässige Tötung (negligent homicide/involuntary manslaughter): Killing due to disregard of necessary care.

🚨 Important: "Tötung" is a more neutral term than "Mord" or "Totschlag", which already imply a legal or moral judgment.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar of 'die Tötung'

"Tötung" is a feminine noun. The article is "die". Nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine in German.

Declension

Example Sentences

• Die Tötung des Zeugen wurde nie aufgeklärt. (The killing of the witness was never solved.)
• Er wurde wegen fahrlässiger Tötung angeklagt. (He was charged with negligent homicide.)
• Die Polizei untersucht die Umstände der Tötung. (The police are investigating the circumstances of the killing.)
• Mehrere Tötungen erschütterten die Stadt. (Several killings shook the city.)

🗣️ Usage in Context

"Die Tötung" is primarily used in formal contexts, especially:

• Law and Criminology: As an umbrella term for various homicide offenses (e.g., Anklage wegen Tötung - charge of homicide/killing).
• News and Reporting: When the exact legal definition is still unclear or a neutral description is desired.
• Philosophy and Ethics: In discussions about the right to life, euthanasia, etc.

Differentiation:

• töten (verb): Describes the action itself (to kill). Example: Er hat ihn getötet. (He killed him.)
• Mord / Totschlag: More specific, legally defined terms (murder / manslaughter), often carrying a stronger negative connotation.
• Umkommen / Sterben: Describe the end of life (to perish / to die), not necessarily caused by another party.

In everyday language, the verb töten or more specific terms like Mord are more common when the context is clear. "Tötung" can sound somewhat detached or bureaucratic.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: Nouns ending in -ung (like die Hoffnung - hope, die Meinung - opinion, die Lösung - solution) are almost always feminine. So, it's die Tötung.

Meaning Mnemonic: Think of the English word "Toting" a weapon can lead to a Tötung. Or, focus on the Tot part, which means "dead" in German (related to Der Tod - death). The -ung makes it the action/process of causing death.

↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms for 'Tötung'

⚠️ Similar Words (Potential Confusion!):

• Der Tod: Death (the state of no longer being alive). Tötung is the act of causing death.
• tot (adjective): Dead (no longer alive).

😂 A Little Joke (Handle Topic with Care)

German: Warum hat der Kriminalkommissar den Bleistift mit zum Tatort genommen? – Um Spuren zu zeichnen!

English Translation: Why did the detective take a pencil to the crime scene? – To draw some conclusions! (The German word "zeichnen" means both "to draw" and "to mark/record", making it a pun on drawing traces/clues).

📜 Poem about Finality

German:
Die Tötung, ein Wort, so schwer und kalt,
Ein Ende setzt, das jäh anhalt.
Ein Hauch vergeht, ein Licht erlischt,
Was bleibt, ist Stille, die nichts mehr verspricht.
Ein Akt vollendet, ohne Wiederkehr,
Die Waage kippt, das Herz wird leer.

English Translation:
The killing, a word, so heavy and cold,
Sets an end, abruptly told.
A breath departs, a light goes out,
What remains is silence, promising naught.
An act completed, no return in sight,
The scales are tipped, the heart devoid of light.

❓ Riddle

German:
Ich bin ein Akt, kein Zustand nur,
Beende Leben auf ernster Spur.
Im Gesetzbuch steh' ich oft genannt,
Mit Vorsatz oder fahrlässig bekannt.

Was bin ich?

English Translation:
I am an act, not just a state,
Ending life, sealing a fate.
In law books, I am often named,
Intentional or negligently blamed.

What am I?

Solution: Die Tötung (the killing / homicide)

ℹ️ Other Information about 'die Tötung'

Word Composition:

The word "Tötung" is a nominalization (making a noun) of the verb "töten" (to kill). It consists of:

• The verb stem "töt-" (from töten, related to Der Tod - death).
• The suffix "-ung", which typically denotes an action, process, or result.

Cultural Context:

Dealing with Tötung (killing) is central to legal systems, ethics, religion, and art worldwide. The assessment of a killing heavily depends on the circumstances, intent, and cultural background.