01
erschießen
to shoot dead
To kill someone by firing a gun.
example
Der Einbrecher wurde auf der Flucht von der Polizei erschossen.
The burglar was shot dead by the police while fleeing.
erschießen
to shoot dead
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word structure: prefix 'er-'
The prefix 'er-' often indicates the final, often fatal result of an action. While 'schießen' only means 'to shoot', 'erschießen' always means 'to shoot dead'.
EXAMPLE
Der Jäger schoss auf den Hirsch, aber er traf ihn nicht.
The hunter shot at the deer, but he didn't hit it.
Inseparable verb
Verbs with the prefix 'er-' are inseparable. This means the prefix always stays attached to the verb in all sentence forms and tenses.
EXAMPLE
Man fand heraus, dass der Mann erschossen wurde.
It was discovered that the man had been shot dead.
Transitive vs. reflexive
The structure of the sentence shows who the victim is. 'Jemanden erschießen' (to shoot someone dead) is transitive and means to kill another person. 'Sich erschießen' (to shoot oneself) is reflexive and means to kill oneself.
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei erschoss den Angreifer in Notwehr.
The police shot the attacker dead in self-defense.
Compare with
erschießen vs töten
to kill
'töten' and 'erschießen' both mean that a living being dies because someone does something. 'Töten' is the more general word and does not yet say how it happens. 'Erschießen' is more precise: it means that someone is killed by a shot from a weapon. So you use 'erschießen' when the way of killing is important. If the method is not known or not important, 'töten' fits better.
erschießen
Im Krimi erschießt der Täter sein Opfer mit einer Pistole.
In the crime novel, the perpetrator shoots his victim dead with a pistol.
töten
Giftige Abfälle im Fluss können viele Fische töten.
Toxic waste in the river can kill many fish.
In real life
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