cause of death
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cause of death
The medical or legal reason that directly led to a person's death. It is often determined through an autopsy.
Als offizielle Todesursache wurde Herzversagen festgestellt.
Heart failure was determined to be the official cause of death.
The word is composed of 'der Tod' (death) and 'die Ursache' (cause). The '-es-' in the middle is a linking element and indicates a genitive, so literally: 'die Ursache des Todes' (the cause of death).
Die Polizei untersucht noch die genaue Todesursache.
The police are still investigating the exact cause of death.
'Todesursache' (cause of death) is a formal and official term. You mainly find it in reports by the police, doctors, or in the news.
Im ärztlichen Attest muss die Todesursache angegeben werden.
The cause of death must be stated in the medical certificate.
This noun is often combined with verbs that describe an investigation or determination. Typical examples are: 'die Todesursache ermitteln' (to determine the cause of death), 'feststellen' (to establish/determine), or 'klären' (to clarify).
Ein Gerichtsmediziner soll die Todesursache klären.
A forensic pathologist is supposed to clarify the cause of death.
resulting death
'Todesursache' and 'Todesfolge' are both connected with a person's death, especially in medical or legal texts. 'Todesursache' means the direct reason why someone died, for example an illness or an injury. 'Todesfolge' means that death was the consequence of an event, for example an accident or a crime. The words can be confused because both are used after a death. The simple guide is: 'Todesursache' asks about the reason for the death, while 'Todesfolge' describes the death as the result of an event.
Die Ärztin konnte die genaue Todesursache erst nach der Untersuchung nennen.
The doctor could only name the exact cause of death after the examination.
Der Unfall wurde als Körperverletzung mit Todesfolge vor Gericht verhandelt.
The accident was tried in court as bodily injury resulting in death.