to slaughter
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slaughter
To kill animals, especially livestock, in large numbers or in a brutal way in order to process them into meat.
Im Schlachthof werden täglich Hunderte von Rindern abgeschlachtet.
Hundreds of cattle are slaughtered every day at the slaughterhouse.
'Abschlachten' is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'ab' comes at the end. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Der Bauer schlachtet morgen die Schweine ab.
The farmer is slaughtering the pigs tomorrow.
The prefix 'ab-' often intensifies the meaning of 'schlachten' (to slaughter). It can emphasize brutality, a large quantity, or the finality of the action.
Die Wölfe haben eine ganze Herde Schafe abgeschlachtet.
The wolves slaughtered an entire flock of sheep.
The object of the verb shows the meaning: with animals, it is about meat production. With people, it describes a massacre. In a sports or game context, it means a crushing defeat.
Für die Feier wurden zwei Lämmer abgeschlachtet.
Two lambs were slaughtered for the celebration.
When 'abschlachten' is used for people, it is an extremely strong and emotional word. It describes a cruel, inhuman massacre and is never neutral.
In den Nachrichten wurde berichtet, wie unschuldige Zivilisten abgeschlachtet wurden.
The news reported how innocent civilians were massacred.
In the context of sports or games, 'abschlachten' is a colloquial exaggeration. It is often used in the passive to emphasize the humiliating defeat.
Beim Schachspiel wurde ich von meiner kleinen Schwester total abgeschlachtet.
In the chess game, I was totally destroyed by my little sister.
to kill
'töten' and 'abschlachten' can both mean that living beings lose their lives. 'töten' is more neutral and more general. It does not automatically say how brutal something is or how many are involved. 'abschlachten' sounds much stronger and crueler. It is used for many animals or people being killed brutally. With animals, it can also have to do with meat production. If you are speaking factually or generally, 'töten' is usually more precise. 'abschlachten' emphasizes violence, brutality, or a large number.
In dem Bericht steht, dass die Tiere auf grausame Weise abgeschlachtet wurden.
The report says that the animals were slaughtered in a cruel way.
Der Unfall hat mehrere Tiere auf der Straße getötet.
The accident killed several animals on the road.