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
killen
to kill
Colloquial in a figurative sense for to end, ruin, or stop something. Often refers to plans, ideas, or moods.
EXAMPLE
Die schlechte Nachricht hat die gute Stimmung auf der Party total gekillt.
The bad news totally killed the good mood at the party.
killen
to kill
Colloquial for to extremely strain, exhaust, or overwhelm someone or something.
EXAMPLE
Das Training heute hat mich komplett gekillt, ich bin total fertig.
Today's workout completely killed me; I'm totally exhausted.
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
Both verbs can refer to ending a life. “Töten” is neutral and suitable for factual statements. “Killen” is colloquial and is used especially in casual speech and in connection with films or video games; for serious real-life events, it can sound inappropriately casual.
killen
Im Videospiel muss die Figur den gegnerischen Wachmann killen.
In the video game, the character has to kill the opposing guard.
töten
Im Polizeibericht steht, dass der Täter den Wachmann tötete.
The police report states that the perpetrator killed the security guard.
In real life
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