das Töten
killing
The act of killing a person or an animal, ending their life.
EXAMPLE
Das Töten geschützter Tiere ist gesetzlich verboten.
Killing protected animals is prohibited by law.
das Töten
killing
das Töten
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Töten, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| genitive | des Tötens |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Töten | – |
| accusative | das Töten | – |
| dative | dem Töten | – |
| genitive | des Tötens | – |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Das Töten' (killing) is a nominalized infinitive of the verb 'töten' (to kill). The article presents the action as an abstract topic or a general process.
EXAMPLE
Das Töten aus reinem Vergnügen ist für viele Menschen schwer verständlich.
Killing purely for pleasure is difficult for many people to understand.
Typical complements
'Das Töten' (killing) is often followed by 'von' with the dative to specify who or what is being killed. An adjective before the noun also often describes the nature of the action.
EXAMPLE
Das Töten von Wildtieren ist in diesem Gebiet streng geregelt.
The killing of wild animals is strictly regulated in this area.
Sinnloses Töten darf nicht als Mut gelten.
Senseless killing must not be considered bravery.
Register and context
'Das Töten' (killing) occurs especially in legal, ethical, political, or factual texts. In everyday language, the word is often used in general statements about violence, hunting, or animal welfare.
EXAMPLE
In der Diskussion über Tierschutz ging es auch um das Töten von Nutztieren.
The discussion about animal welfare also addressed the killing of farm animals.
In real life
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