Totschlag
German
Etymology
tot + Schlag. Compare Dutch doodslag.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈtoːtˌʃlaːk/
- IPA(key): /ˈtoːtˌʃlax/, /-ˌʃlaːx/
Audio (file)
Noun
Totschlag m (genitive Totschlags or Totschlages, no plural)
- (law) manslaughter; second-degree murder; an unlawful killing of a person which is subject to a milder punishment than murder
Usage notes
- The specific definition of Totschlag is distinct from the understanding of “manslaughter” in the Anglophone world. It also varies somewhat between the respective German-speaking countries. Generally, however, Totschlag is an intentional killing that lacks certain aggravating properties. A typical case example of Totschlag is a killing in the heat of the moment.
- In informal contexts, Totschlag is often improperly distinguished from Mord (“murder”) or merged with it. Speakers are likely to use Mord for cases that do not legally qualify as murder.
Declension
Declension of Totschlag (uncountable)
| singular | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| indef. | def. | noun | |
| nominative | ein | der | Totschlag |
| genitive | eines | des | Totschlages, Totschlags |
| dative | einem | dem | Totschlag, Totschlage1 |
| accusative | einen | den | Totschlag |
1Now uncommon, see notes
Synonyms
- Tötung; Bluttat (synonyms in non-technical use only)
Derived terms
- Totschläger
- totschlagen
- Mord und Totschlag
See also
- fahrlässige Tötung
- Kapitalverbrechen
- Körperverletzung mit Todesfolge
- Mord
Further reading
- Totschlag in Duden online