genocide
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genocide
The systematic and intentional destruction of a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group, also referred to as mass murder of a people. The term is defined by international law.
Der Genozid in Ruanda ist ein schreckliches Verbrechen gegen die Menschlichkeit.
The genocide in Rwanda is a terrible crime against humanity.
'Genozid' (genocide) is an international word. It is made up of the Greek 'génos' (tribe, people) and the Latin 'caedere' (to kill). This origin helps you understand the serious meaning of the word.
Internationale Gerichte verfolgen Verbrechen wie den Genozid.
International courts prosecute crimes such as genocide.
Because of its grave meaning, 'Genozid' (genocide) is used with very formal verbs. Typical phrases are 'einen Genozid verüben' (to commit genocide), 'einen Genozid anerkennen' (to recognize a genocide), or 'einen Genozid leugnen' (to deny a genocide).
Viele Länder haben den Genozid an den Armeniern offiziell anerkannt.
Many countries have officially recognized the genocide of the Armenians.
'Genozid' (genocide) is a very specific and strong term from international law, politics, and history. It is not used in everyday conversations unless these topics are being discussed.
Die Vereinten Nationen haben eine Konvention zur Verhütung und Bestrafung des Völkermordes.
The United Nations has a convention on the prevention and punishment of genocide.
massacre
'das Massaker' and 'der Genozid' both have to do with extreme violence against many people. A massacre is the brutal killing of many defenseless people or animals, often as a single event. A genocide is much more specific: it means the planned and intentional destruction of an entire national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. The words can be confused because massacres can also happen during a genocide. But not every massacre is a genocide. For genocide, there must be a systematic plan against a specific group.
Im Geschichtsunterricht sprechen wir über den Genozid an einer religiösen Minderheit.
In history class, we talk about the genocide of a religious minority.
In der Dokumentation berichten Überlebende von einem Massaker in ihrem Dorf.
In the documentary, survivors talk about a massacre in their village.