kaltblütig
cold-blooded
Acting without visible emotion, compassion, or moral restraint, especially when committing a cruel or ruthless act.
EXAMPLE
Der Täter erschoss das Opfer kaltblütig.
The perpetrator shot the victim in cold blood.
kaltblütig
cold-blooded
kaltblütig – kaltblütiger – am kaltblütigsten
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Meanings
kaltblütig
cold-blooded
In animals: having a body temperature that depends largely on the temperature of the surroundings.
EXAMPLE
Reptilien sind kaltblütig und wärmen sich in der Sonne auf.
Reptiles are cold-blooded and warm themselves in the sun.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry kaltblütig, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | kaltblütig |
|---|---|
| comparative | kaltblütiger |
| superlative | am kaltblütigsten |
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to kaltblütig.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to kaltblütig.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to kaltblütig.
Usage tips
Word structure
In 'kaltblütig' (cold-blooded), you can recognize 'kalt' (cold) and 'blüt-', which belongs to the word family of 'Blut' (blood). When referring to people, this structure is figurative: the word says nothing about the actual temperature of their blood.
EXAMPLE
Die Entführer gingen bei ihrer Tat kaltblütig vor.
The kidnappers carried out their crime in cold blood.
Context clues
Words such as 'Täter' (perpetrator), 'Mord' (murder), or 'erschießen' (to shoot dead) point to the meaning of acting without compassion. When the context involves animal species, the sun, or body temperature, the biological meaning is intended.
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei sucht nach einem kaltblütigen Täter.
The police are looking for a cold-blooded perpetrator.
Als kaltblütige Tiere brauchen Eidechsen Wärme aus ihrer Umgebung.
As cold-blooded animals, lizards need warmth from their surroundings.
Typical collocations
Common combinations are 'ein kaltblütiger Mord' (a cold-blooded murder), 'ein kaltblütiger Täter' (a cold-blooded perpetrator), and 'kaltblütig handeln' (to act in cold blood). The word can therefore describe a person or an act, as well as the way someone acts.
EXAMPLE
Der Bericht beschreibt einen kaltblütigen Mord.
The report describes a cold-blooded murder.
Die Täter handelten kaltblütig und ließen den Verletzten zurück.
The perpetrators acted in cold blood and left the injured man behind.
In real life
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