to murder
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to murder
To intentionally and unlawfully kill someone, often for base motives such as hatred or greed. This is a serious crime.
Er wurde des Verbrechens angeklagt, weil er aus Habgier gemordet haben soll.
He was charged with the crime because he is said to have murdered out of greed.
to kill for
A strongly exaggerated, colloquial expression that expresses an extreme desire for something.
Nach der langen Wanderung hätte ich für ein Glas kaltes Wasser morden können.
After the long hike, I would have killed for a glass of cold water.
The verb 'morden' (to murder) belongs to a word family with the noun 'der Mord' (murder, the act) and the person 'der Mörder' or 'die Mörderin' (murderer). All of these words describe the most serious crime of killing a human being.
Der Verdächtige wurde wegen Mordes angeklagt.
The suspect was charged with murder.
In its legal meaning, the motive for the act is often expressed with the preposition 'aus' and a noun in the dative. Typical motives are hatred, greed, or jealousy.
Die Staatsanwaltschaft argumentierte, er habe aus reiner Habgier gemordet.
The prosecution argued that he had murdered out of pure greed.
The colloquial meaning exists only in the fixed expression 'für etwas morden können' (to be able to kill for something). It expresses an extreme desire and is always used with the modal verb 'können' (can), often in the subjunctive.
Ich habe seit gestern nichts gegessen, ich könnte für eine Pizza morden!
I haven't eaten anything since yesterday; I could kill for a pizza!
The expression 'für etwas morden' (to kill for something) is strongly exaggerated and belongs exclusively to informal colloquial language. In formal or serious contexts, it would be completely inappropriate.
Boah, ist das heiß! Ich würde für ein Eis morden.
Wow, it's hot! I would kill for an ice cream.
to kill
“Töten” is a neutral term for causing the death of a person or animal. “Morden,” by contrast, means intentionally and unlawfully killing people and carries a strong moral charge. Therefore, in the case of a lawful or not-yet-clarified killing, only the more neutral statement with “töten” is appropriate.
Der Mann mordete vorsätzlich aus Hass und Gier.
The man murdered him intentionally out of hatred and greed.
Der Mann tötete den Angreifer in Notwehr.
The man killed the attacker in self-defense.
