manslaughter
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manslaughter
In the legal sense, the intentional killing of a person that, however, does not meet the statutory criteria for murder (such as treachery or greed). It is often an act committed in the heat of the moment.
Er wurde wegen Totschlags zu einer langjährigen Haftstrafe verurteilt.
He was sentenced to many years in prison for manslaughter.
The word 'Totschlag' (manslaughter) is composed of the words 'Tod' (death) and 'Schlag' (blow). So it literally describes an action that leads to death, like a 'Todesschlag' (fatal blow).
Die Anklage lautete auf versuchten Totschlag.
The charge was attempted manslaughter.
'Totschlag' (manslaughter) is a specific term from criminal law. It is used to distinguish an intentional killing from the legal offense of murder.
Das Gericht muss prüfen, ob es sich um Mord oder Totschlag handelt.
The court must determine whether it is murder or manslaughter.
In a legal context, there are fixed phrases such as 'jemanden wegen Totschlags anklagen' (to charge someone with manslaughter) or 'wegen Totschlags verurteilt werden' (to be convicted of manslaughter). The motive is also often mentioned, for example 'Totschlag im Affekt' (manslaughter in the heat of the moment).
Der Angeklagte wurde wegen Totschlags angeklagt, nicht wegen Mordes.
The defendant was charged with manslaughter, not murder.
murder
'der Mord' and 'der Totschlag' both refer to the intentional killing of a person. The difference is especially important in legal terms. 'Mord' applies when certain serious features are present, for example treachery or greed. 'Totschlag' is also intentional, but it does not meet these criteria for murder and can happen, for example, in an emotionally intense situation. Learners may confuse the words because both refer to very serious crimes. In everyday life, you should be careful: whether something is 'Mord' or 'Totschlag' is not decided legally by feeling, but by a court.
Nach dem Streit wurde der Mann wegen Totschlags angeklagt.
After the argument, the man was charged with manslaughter.
Die Staatsanwaltschaft spricht von Mord, weil die Tat lange geplant war.
The public prosecutor's office is calling it murder because the act had been planned for a long time.