die Brutalität
brutality
The quality of being extremely violent, ruthless, and cruel; cruelty itself.
EXAMPLE
Die Brutalität des Krieges hinterlässt tiefe Spuren bei den Überlebenden.
The brutality of war leaves deep scars on the survivors.
die Brutalität
brutality
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
die Brutalität
brutality
A single, concrete cruel or violent act. In this meaning, the word is often used in the plural.
EXAMPLE
Die Gefangenen berichteten von wiederholten Brutalitäten durch die Wärter.
The prisoners reported repeated brutalities by the guards.
Usage tips
Word formation
The word is derived from the adjective 'brutal' (brutal). The ending '-tät' forms an abstract noun that describes a quality. Such nouns are always feminine, so it is 'die Brutalität' (brutality).
EXAMPLE
Die Brutalität der Tat schockierte die Öffentlichkeit.
The brutality of the act shocked the public.
Countable vs. uncountable
In the singular, 'Brutalität' (brutality) usually describes the general quality of cruelty and is uncountable. In the plural ('Brutalitäten'), the word refers to concrete, individual cruel acts and is countable.
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei ging mit unnötiger Brutalität vor.
The police acted with unnecessary brutality.
Typical collocations
When 'Brutalität' (brutality) describes the general quality, it often appears with a genitive that names the source or context. Examples are 'die Brutalität des Regimes' (the brutality of the regime) or 'die Brutalität eines Angriffs' (the brutality of an attack).
EXAMPLE
Viele Filme zeigen die Brutalität des Verbrechens sehr realistisch.
Many films show the brutality of the crime very realistically.
Compare with
Brutalität vs Grausamkeit
cruelty
Grausamkeit and Brutalität can both refer to inhuman behavior. Grausamkeit emphasizes deliberately and mercilessly inflicting suffering, while Brutalität focuses more on extreme violence and ruthlessness. The key question is therefore whether the suffering or the violent manner of acting is at the center.
Brutalität
Die Brutalität des Täters zeigte sich darin, dass er sein Opfer mit extremer Gewalt angriff.
The perpetrator's brutality was evident in the fact that he attacked his victim with extreme violence.
Grausamkeit
Die Grausamkeit des Täters zeigte sich darin, dass er sein Opfer absichtlich leiden ließ.
The perpetrator's cruelty was evident in the fact that he deliberately made his victim suffer.
In real life
Loading video examples...