abuse / mistreatment
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abuse / mistreatment
The cruel, violent, or poor treatment of a person or animal that causes physical or emotional harm.
Die Tierschützer deckten einen Fall von schwerer Misshandlung auf dem Bauernhof auf.
The animal rights activists uncovered a case of severe abuse on the farm.
The prefix 'miss-' always expresses something negative, wrong, or bad. A 'Misshandlung' (abuse/mistreatment) is therefore a bad or wrong action or treatment.
Das Präfix „miss-“ findet man auch in Wörtern wie „Missverständnis“ oder „Misserfolg“.
The prefix 'miss-' is also found in words like 'Missverständnis' (misunderstanding) or 'Misserfolg' (failure).
To name the victim of the abuse, German often uses the genitive or the preposition 'von' followed by the dative.
Der Prozess handelte von der Misshandlung der Tiere.
The trial was about the mistreatment of the animals.
'Misshandlung' (abuse/mistreatment) is often described more precisely with adjectives such as 'körperlich' (physical), 'seelisch' (emotional), or 'schwer' (severe). Typical verbs are 'melden' (to report) or 'anzeigen' (to report to the authorities).
Seelische Misshandlung kann genauso schädlich sein wie körperliche Gewalt.
Emotional abuse can be just as harmful as physical violence.
abuse / misuse
Missbrauch can refer to physical or emotional violence, but it is especially often used for sexual acts. Misshandlung emphasizes cruel or violent treatment and the harm it causes. For physical violence, Misshandlung is therefore usually more precise.
Die Polizei ermittelt wegen der körperlichen Misshandlung eines Kindes.
The police are investigating the physical abuse of a child.
Die Polizei ermittelt wegen des sexuellen Missbrauchs eines Kindes.
The police are investigating the sexual abuse of a child.
