example
Loading your saved state.
to make an example
To punish someone especially harshly as a deterrent to others. This expression emphasizes the warning character of a punishment.
Der Richter wollte mit dem harten Urteil ein Exempel statuieren, um Nachahmer abzuschrecken.
The judge wanted to make an example with the harsh sentence in order to deter imitators.
'Exempel' (example) comes from the Latin word 'exemplum'. You can recognize in it the same root as in the English word 'example', which helps with understanding the meaning.
Der Lehrer nutzte ein historisches Exempel, um seine These zu untermauern.
The teacher used a historical example to support his thesis.
The meaning can be recognized easily from the verb. If 'Exempel' appears with the verb 'statuieren', it always refers to a deterrent punishment. In other contexts, e.g. with 'dienen als' (to serve as), it is an illustrative example.
Der General wollte an dem Deserteur ein Exempel statuieren.
The general wanted to make an example of the deserter.
In the meaning of a deterrent punishment, 'Exempel' (example) is used almost exclusively in the fixed expression 'ein Exempel statuieren' (to make an example). The verb 'statuieren' here means something like 'aufstellen' (to establish) or 'festlegen' (to determine).
Die Firma hat den Mitarbeiter entlassen und wollte damit ein Exempel statuieren.
The company fired the employee and wanted to make an example with it.
The word 'Exempel' (example) belongs to elevated written language and often sounds formal or literary. It is rarely used in normal everyday speech.
Die Fabel dient als Exempel für die menschliche Eitelkeit.
The fable serves as an example of human vanity.
example
'das Beispiel' and 'das Exempel' can both mean a case that shows something. 'Beispiel' is the normal word in everyday life, at school, and in explanations. 'Exempel' is rarer and sounds more elevated or instructive. It often has a warning tone, especially in the expression 'ein Exempel statuieren' (to make an example), when someone is punished harshly so that others learn from it. The words can be confused because 'Exempel' sometimes means something like 'Beispiel'. In normal conversations, however, 'Beispiel' is almost always the more natural choice.
Der Verein wollte an dem Spieler ein Exempel statuieren und sperrte ihn für drei Spiele.
The club wanted to make an example of the player and suspended him for three games.
Kannst du mir ein Beispiel für diese Regel geben?
Can you give me an example of this rule?