murder
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murder
The intentional and unlawful killing of a human being. In German criminal law, 'Mord' (murder) is defined by specific features such as treachery or greed.
Der Angeklagte wurde wegen Mordes zu einer lebenslangen Haftstrafe verurteilt.
The defendant was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder.
'Der Mord' (murder) is the noun that belongs to the verb 'morden' (to murder). Both words refer to the intentional killing of a human being and are often used in the context of crime and law.
Er wurde beschuldigt, einen Mord begangen zu haben.
He was accused of having committed a murder.
When naming the victim of the murder, you use the preposition 'an' followed by the dative. The construction is: 'der Mord an jemandem' (the murder of someone).
Die Polizei untersucht den Mord an dem bekannten Geschäftsmann.
The police are investigating the murder of the well-known businessman.
In legal and police contexts, 'Mord' (murder) is often used with certain verbs, for example 'einen Mord begehen' (to commit a murder), 'einen Mord aufklären' (to solve a murder), or 'jemanden wegen Mordes anklagen' (to charge someone with murder).
Der Kommissar hat schon viele Morde aufgeklärt.
The detective has already solved many murders.
The expression 'Das ist (der reinste) Mord' (That is absolute murder) is a strong exaggeration for a very exhausting or unpleasant activity. It is used only colloquially and informally.
Diese ganze Bürokratie ist der reinste Mord!
All this bureaucracy is absolute murder!
suicide
'der Mord' and 'der Selbstmord' both have to do with a person's death, but they do not mean the same thing. With 'Mord', one person intentionally and unlawfully kills another person. With 'Selbstmord', a person intentionally ends their own life; in modern language, you often also hear 'Suizid' for this. The words can be confused because both contain 'Mord'. The important difference is who is killed: in 'Mord', it is another person; in 'Selbstmord', it is the person themself. Both words can also be used figuratively, but even then the difference remains: 'ein Mord' is something extremely exhausting, while 'Selbstmord' is something that seriously harms oneself.
Die Polizei untersucht einen Mord in der Nähe des Bahnhofs.
The police are investigating a murder near the train station.
Nach dem Selbstmord des Patienten bietet die Klinik den Angehörigen Hilfe an.
After the patient's suicide, the clinic is offering support to the relatives.