war crime
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war crime
A serious violation of international law committed during an armed conflict. Examples include attacks on civilians, torture, or the use of prohibited weapons.
Der Internationale Strafgerichtshof ermittelt wegen möglicher Kriegsverbrechen in der Region.
The International Criminal Court is investigating possible war crimes in the region.
The word is made up of 'Krieg' (war) and 'Verbrechen' (crime), connected with an 's'. So it literally means a crime that happens in war.
Die Zerstörung von Kulturgütern kann ein Kriegsverbrechen sein.
The destruction of cultural property can be a war crime.
In legal and political contexts, 'Kriegsverbrechen' (war crime) is very often used with the verb 'begehen' (to commit). Other typical verbs are 'untersuchen' (to investigate), 'ahnden' (to punish/prosecute), and 'anklagen' (to accuse/indict).
Soldaten, die Kriegsverbrechen begehen, müssen zur Verantwortung gezogen werden.
Soldiers who commit war crimes must be held accountable.
This word belongs to the formal technical language of international law, politics, and history. In everyday language, it is only used when reporting on armed conflicts.
In den Nachrichten wurde über neue Ermittlungen zu Kriegsverbrechen berichtet.
The news reported on new investigations into war crimes.
massacre
'das Massaker' and 'das Kriegsverbrechen' can both have to do with cruel violence in war. 'Massaker' mainly describes the event itself: many defenseless people or animals are brutally killed. 'Kriegsverbrechen' is a legal term. It means a serious violation of international law during an armed conflict, for example attacks on civilians or torture. The words can be confused because a massacre in war can often also be a war crime. But 'Kriegsverbrechen' is broader and more legal, while 'Massaker' emphasizes the brutal killing of many victims.
Die Anwälte sammeln Beweise für ein mögliches Kriegsverbrechen.
The lawyers are gathering evidence of a possible war crime.
Nach dem Massaker flohen viele Familien aus dem Dorf.
After the massacre, many families fled the village.