human life
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human life
The existence or life of an individual human being.
Die Ärzte kämpften stundenlang um das Menschenleben des verunglückten Fahrers.
The doctors fought for hours to save the human life of the driver who had been in the accident.
human lives
Refers to the victims of disasters, wars, or accidents, often used in the plural.
Der Krieg hat unzählige Menschenleben gefordert.
The war claimed countless human lives.
The word is made up of 'Mensch' (human being), the linking element '-en', and 'Leben' (life). So it literally means 'the life of a human being.'
Jedes einzelne Menschenleben ist wertvoll.
Every single human life is valuable.
'Menschenleben' (human life) is a word with a very serious and often dramatic tone. It is typically used in reports about accidents, disasters, or wars and emphasizes the high value of life.
Die Rettungskräfte setzen alles daran, Menschenleben zu schützen.
The rescue workers are doing everything they can to protect human lives.
When it is about the life of a single person, 'Menschenleben' (human life) is often combined with verbs of saving or fighting. Typical phrases are 'ein Menschenleben retten' (to save a human life) or 'um ein Menschenleben kämpfen' (to fight for a human life).
Der Feuerwehrmann hat unter Einsatz seines eigenen Lebens ein Menschenleben gerettet.
The firefighter saved a human life while risking his own.
When talking about victims, 'Menschenleben' (often in the plural) is used with the verbs 'fordern' (to claim) or 'kosten' (to cost). This combination emphasizes the loss of life caused by a tragic event.
Das Erdbeben hat Tausende von Menschenleben gefordert.
The earthquake claimed thousands of human lives.
to live
As a verb, leben describes people still being alive after a danger. das Menschenleben is a noun and highlights individual human victims or people who were saved. That is why Menschenleben is often used when stating the number of victims.
Bei dem Brand ging kein Menschenleben verloren.
No human life was lost in the fire.
Nach dem Brand leben alle Bewohner noch.
All the residents are still alive after the fire.
