violent
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violent
Showing a willingness or tendency to use physical violence against people or things.
Der betrunkene Mann wurde plötzlich gewalttätig und griff andere Gäste an.
The drunk man suddenly became violent and attacked other guests.
The adjective is made up of 'Gewalt' (violence) and 'tätig' (active). So it literally describes a person or action that is 'active in violence', meaning actively uses violence.
Die Polizei musste den gewalttätigen Demonstranten festnehmen.
The police had to arrest the violent demonstrator.
To describe that a person begins to use violence, the combination with the verb 'werden' (to become) is used very frequently. The person therefore changes from a calm state to an aggressive one.
Als er beleidigt wurde, ist er sofort gewalttätig geworden.
When he was insulted, he immediately became violent.
When it is about media or depictions, 'gewalttätig' (violent) is often combined with nouns such as 'Film' (film), 'Videospiel' (video game), 'Szene' (scene), or 'Inhalt' (content).
Viele Eltern machen sich Sorgen über gewalttätige Videospiele.
Many parents worry about violent video games.
You can tell whether a person or a thing is meant from the noun. If 'gewalttätig' (violent) refers to a person, it is about their behavior. If it refers to a film or a game, it is about the content.
Der Angeklagte war schon früher gewalttätig.
The defendant had been violent before.
peaceful
'friedlich' and 'gewalttätig' are clear opposites when it comes to behavior. 'friedlich' describes people, animals, or situations without conflict and without violence. 'gewalttätig' describes someone or behavior where physical violence is used or may be used. So 'friedlich' fits when someone stays calm and does not harm anyone. 'gewalttätig' fits when someone hits, destroys things, or threatens others.
Nach dem Spiel wurden einige Fans gewalttätig und warfen Flaschen.
After the game, some fans became violent and threw bottles.
Der Hund ist sehr friedlich und bellt die Kinder nicht an.
The dog is very peaceful and does not bark at the children.