mortal enemy
der Todfeind, die Todfeinde
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mortal enemy
An especially bitter and irreconcilable enemy; someone toward whom there is deep-rooted hostility.
Seit Jahren ist er der Todfeind seines ehemaligen Geschäftspartners.
For years, he has been the mortal enemy of his former business partner.
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Todfeinde |
| genitive | des Todfeindes |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Todfeind | die Todfeinde |
| accusative | den Todfeind | die Todfeinde |
| dative | dem Todfeind | den Todfeinden |
| genitive | des Todfeindes des Todfeinds | der Todfeinde |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Todfeind' (mortal enemy) is made up of 'Tod' (death) and 'Feind' (enemy). The element 'Tod' intensifies the meaning: it refers to an especially deep and irreconcilable hostility.
Nach dem Streit wurde sein früherer Freund zu seinem Todfeind.
After the argument, his former friend became his mortal enemy.
'Todfeind' (mortal enemy) is often used with 'sein' (to be) or 'bleiben' (to remain). The person toward whom the hostility is directed can be mentioned in the genitive or with 'von' (of).
Der Wolf bleibt der Todfeind des Schäfers.
The wolf remains the shepherd's mortal enemy.
The word is strongly evaluative and dramatic. It is especially suitable in emotional, polemical, or narrative contexts when a hostility is meant to be portrayed as particularly intense.
In dem Interview bezeichnete er den Minister als seinen Todfeind.
In the interview, he described the minister as his mortal enemy.
