killed
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killed
Describes the state of having died as a result of an external influence such as an accident, an attack, or an illness.
Der bei dem Unfall getötete Fahrer war erst 20 Jahre alt.
The driver killed in the accident was only 20 years old.
'Getötet' (killed) is the past participle of the verb 'töten' (to kill). This verb is derived from the adjective 'tot' (dead) and means 'to make someone dead.' So it always describes an action from the outside.
Der Jäger hat das Tier mit einem Schuss getötet.
The hunter killed the animal with one shot.
As a past participle, 'getötet' (killed) is used with the auxiliary verb 'werden' (to become/to be) to form the passive. This construction emphasizes that the death was caused by an external force or another person.
Viele Menschen wurden im Krieg getötet.
Many people were killed in the war.
To describe the circumstances of the death, 'getötet' (killed) is often combined with prepositions such as 'bei' (in/during, for an event) or 'durch' (by/through, for the cause or means).
Zwei Personen wurden bei dem Brand getötet.
Two people were killed in the fire.
dead
'tot' and 'getötet' both describe that someone or an animal is no longer alive. The difference lies in the reason. 'tot' only describes the state: no longer alive. It does not automatically say why it happened. 'getötet' says more: someone or something has died because of an external influence, for example through an accident, an attack, or an illness. Learners may confuse the words because the result is the same. If only the state is important, 'tot' fits. If the cause or action is important, 'getötet' is more precise.
Bei dem Unfall wurde ein Fußgänger getötet.
A pedestrian was killed in the accident.
Als der Arzt kam, war der Hund schon tot.
When the doctor arrived, the dog was already dead.