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.
violent
Refers to actions, depictions, or content that show or describe explicit violence.
Der Film ist sehr gewalttätig und daher erst ab 18 Jahren freigegeben.
The film is very violent and is therefore rated for ages 18 and up.
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.
aggressive
Aggressiv describes hostile or attack-oriented behavior without necessarily implying physical violence. Gewalttätig, by contrast, means that a person is willing or inclined to use physical violence against people or things. Use aggressiv for threatening behavior and gewalttätig when physical violence is meant.
Der gewalttätige Mann schlug im Streit nach dem Nachbarn.
The violent man struck at his neighbor during the argument.
Der aggressive Mann schrie den Nachbarn an, schlug aber nicht zu.
The aggressive man yelled at his neighbor but did not hit him.
