example
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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.
example
An example that illustrates a situation or rule, often with an instructive or warning undertone. It is a more elevated and rarer variant of 'Beispiel' (example).
Die Geschichte vom Untergang der Firma dient als warnendes Exempel für Missmanagement.
The story of the company's collapse serves as a cautionary example of mismanagement.
'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
Beispiel is the neutral and usual term for an illustrative case. Exempel can serve the same function, but it sounds elevated and rare and often carries an instructive or warning undertone. In everyday language, Beispiel is therefore usually the better choice; Exempel is also appropriate in texts with this particular stylistic tone.
Im Essay dient derselbe Betrugsfall als warnendes Exempel für den Missbrauch persönlicher Daten.
In the essay, the same fraud case serves as a cautionary example of the misuse of personal data.
Der Betrugsfall ist ein Beispiel dafür, wie leicht persönliche Daten missbraucht werden können.
The fraud case is an example of how easily personal data can be misused.
