01
schlachten
to slaughter
To kill an animal in order to process it into meat and prepare it for consumption.
example
Der Bauer schlachtet vor Weihnachten immer eine Gans.
The farmer always slaughters a goose before Christmas.
schlachten
to slaughter
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'schlachten' (to slaughter) is closely related to the noun 'die Schlacht' (battle). Both words have their origin in the verb 'schlagen' (to hit/strike) and refer to an act of killing or violent impact.
EXAMPLE
Früher schlachteten die Familien ihre Tiere selbst.
In the past, families slaughtered their animals themselves.
Typical objects
In its main meaning, 'schlachten' (to slaughter) is used almost exclusively for animals that are killed for meat production. Typical objects are 'ein Schwein' (a pig), 'ein Rind' (a cow/steer), 'ein Lamm' (a lamb), or 'Geflügel' (poultry).
EXAMPLE
Auf dem Hof lernt man, wie man ein Huhn richtig schlachtet.
On the farm, you learn how to slaughter a chicken properly.
Colloquial usage
This figurative meaning is colloquial. It is used for technical devices such as cars or computers that are taken apart so that the functioning individual parts can be reused.
EXAMPLE
Mein alter Laptop war kaputt, also habe ich ihn geschlachtet und die Festplatte ausgebaut.
My old laptop was broken, so I stripped it for parts and removed the hard drive.
Fixed expression
The expression 'das Sparschwein schlachten' (to break open the piggy bank) is a fixed idiom. It is used only with the object 'Sparschwein' (piggy bank) and always means that you spend your savings on a larger purchase.
EXAMPLE
Für den Urlaub haben wir unser Sparschwein geschlachtet.
We broke open our piggy bank for the vacation.
Compare with
schlachten vs töten
to kill
'töten' and 'schlachten' both mean that a living being dies. But the difference is important: 'töten' is general and can refer to people or animals. 'schlachten' is used only for animals, when they are killed so their meat can be used. So it belongs to the areas of farming, butchery, or meat production. Learners may confuse the words because in both cases an animal dies. But if it is not about meat, you usually just say 'töten' for animals, or use a more precise word.
schlachten
Auf dem Bauernhof werden die Schweine im Herbst geschlachtet.
On the farm, the pigs are slaughtered in the fall.
töten
Der Jäger tötete das verletzte Tier, weil es sehr litt.
The hunter killed the injured animal because it was suffering badly.
In real life
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