tödlich
deadly
Leading to death or causing death.
EXAMPLE
Der Sturz aus dieser Höhe war für ihn tödlich.
The fall from this height was deadly for him.
tödlich
deadly
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Meanings
tödlich
deadly
Figuratively and colloquially used as an intensifier for something very negative, especially boredom.
EXAMPLE
Der Vortrag war so lang und monoton, es war einfach tödlich langweilig.
The lecture was so long and monotonous; it was simply deadly boring.
tödlich
deeply
Figuratively meaning 'profoundly' or 'extremely', often in connection with feelings such as being offended or hurt.
EXAMPLE
Sie war tödlich beleidigt, als er ihren Namen vergaß.
She was deeply offended when he forgot her name.
Usage tips
Word formation
The adjective 'tödlich' (deadly) is derived directly from the noun 'der Tod' (death). The ending '-lich' means something like 'in the manner of' or 'belonging to'. Literally, it describes something that belongs to death or is like death.
EXAMPLE
Einige Pilzarten enthalten ein tödliches Gift.
Some types of mushrooms contain a deadly poison.
Literal vs. figurative
'Tödlich' (deadly) can literally mean 'leading to death' or figuratively serve as an intensifier meaning 'extremely'. The context makes the difference: if it refers to real dangers such as accidents or illnesses, it is literal. If it intensifies a feeling such as boredom or being offended, it is figurative.
EXAMPLE
Der Biss dieser Schlange ist für Menschen meist nicht tödlich.
The bite of this snake is usually not deadly for humans.
Fixed combination
In colloquial language, the combination 'tödlich langweilig' (deadly boring) is a very common and fixed expression used to express extreme boredom. Here, 'tödlich' functions as an intensifying adverb.
EXAMPLE
Die Party war tödlich langweilig, deshalb bin ich früh gegangen.
The party was deadly boring, so I left early.
Use with feelings
As an intensifier for feelings, 'tödlich' (deeply/extremely) is often used with hurt feelings or insults. Typical expressions are 'tödlich beleidigt' (deeply offended) or 'tödlich gekränkt' (deeply hurt), and they mean 'profoundly hurt'.
EXAMPLE
Er war tödlich beleidigt, weil er nicht zur Feier eingeladen wurde.
He was deeply offended because he was not invited to the celebration.
Compare with
tödlich vs fatal
disastrous / fatal
Tödlich and fatal can both express that an injury leads to death. Tödlich is the usual and more general word for this, while fatal is less common in this meaning and sounds more formal or medical. Tödlich is usually the better choice in an ordinary news report, while fatal can be used in a formal report.
tödlich
Der Arzt stellte fest, dass die Verletzung tödlich war.
The doctor determined that the injury was fatal.
fatal
Im medizinischen Bericht wurde die Verletzung als fatal bezeichnet.
The injury was described as fatal in the medical report.
In real life
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