to stab to death
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to stab to death
To kill someone with one or more thrusts from a sharp weapon, such as a knife or dagger.
Der Täter hat sein Opfer im Streit mit einem Küchenmesser erstochen.
During the argument, the perpetrator stabbed his victim to death with a kitchen knife.
The verb is made up of the prefix 'er-' and the verb 'stechen' (to stab). The prefix 'er-' here indicates a final, often fatal result of the action. 'Erstechen' therefore means to kill someone by stabbing.
Der Angreifer versuchte, ihn zu erstechen.
The attacker tried to stab him to death.
The verb is transitive and needs an accusative object (the victim). The weapon used is indicated with the preposition 'mit' + dative.
Laut Polizeibericht wurde der Mann mit einem Dolch erstochen.
According to the police report, the man was stabbed to death with a dagger.
'Erstechen' (to stab to death) is a very direct and strong word. It is mainly used in news reports, crime reports, or historical narratives about acts of violence.
In der Zeitung stand, dass ein Mann auf offener Straße erstochen wurde.
The newspaper said that a man was stabbed to death in the street.
to buy
When used with a person, Kaufen can mean persuading them to do something dishonest by offering money or other benefits. Erstechen, on the other hand, means killing someone with a sharp weapon. Even when the same person is affected, the two verbs therefore describe completely different actions.
Der Täter erstach den Wachmann mit einem Messer.
The perpetrator stabbed the guard to death with a knife.
Der Täter kaufte den Wachmann mit viel Geld.
The perpetrator bought off the guard with a lot of money.
