01
killen
to kill
Colloquial for to kill. Often used in the context of films, video games, or casual speech.
example
In diesem Actionfilm killt der Held Dutzende von Gegnern.
In this action film, the hero kills dozens of opponents.
killen
to kill
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Register and origin
'Killen' (to kill) is a colloquial word borrowed from English ('to kill'). In all its meanings, it is used only in informal contexts and should be avoided in formal texts.
EXAMPLE
Lass uns die Musik leiser machen, der Bass killt meine Ohren.
Let's turn the music down; the bass is killing my ears.
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning of 'killen' (to kill) from the object: If it refers to an abstract thing like 'Stimmung' (mood) or 'Plan' (plan), it means 'ruin'. If it refers to a person in the context of effort, it means 'exhaust'.
EXAMPLE
Sein negativer Kommentar hat die ganze Diskussion gekillt.
His negative comment killed the whole discussion.
Typical collocations
In the figurative meaning of ending something, 'killen' (to kill) is often used with abstract nouns. Typical combinations are 'die Stimmung killen' (to kill the mood), 'die Motivation killen' (to kill motivation), or 'die Party killen' (to kill the party).
EXAMPLE
Die plötzliche Nachricht vom Chef hat unsere Feierabendstimmung gekillt.
The sudden news from the boss killed our end-of-workday mood.
Sentence pattern
In the meaning of 'erschöpfen' (to exhaust), the subject is often the strenuous activity and the object is the person who is exhausted. The pattern is: [activity] kills [person].
EXAMPLE
Diese Hitze killt mich, ich kann mich kaum bewegen.
This heat is killing me; I can barely move.
Compare with
killen vs töten
to kill
'töten' and 'killen' can both mean that someone or something is ended or destroyed. 'Töten' is the normal and neutral word when a living being dies. It can also be used figuratively, for example when something destroys a mood. 'Killen' is colloquial and sounds casual. You often hear it in films, video games, or when plans, ideas, or a mood are quickly brought to an end. Learners may confuse the words because 'killen' often feels like 'töten'. In serious or formal situations, however, 'töten' is more natural; 'killen' fits better in informal language.
killen
Im Spiel hat Max den letzten Gegner gekillt.
In the game, Max killed the last opponent.
töten
Zu viel Lärm kann die gute Stimmung auf einer Feier töten.
Too much noise can kill the good mood at a party.
In real life
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