umbringen
to kill
To kill someone violently; to murder.
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei ermittelt, wer den Mann umgebracht hat.
The police are investigating who killed the man.
umbringen
to kill
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Meanings
sich umbringen
to kill oneself
To commit suicide; to take one's own life.
EXAMPLE
Er drohte damit, sich umzubringen, wenn ihm niemand hilft.
He threatened to kill himself if no one helped him.
umbringen
to kill
Colloquial and exaggerated for something that is extremely exhausting, annoying, or burdensome.
EXAMPLE
Diese Hitze bringt mich noch um!
This heat is going to kill me!
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Umbringen' (to kill) is a separable verb. The prefix 'um-' comes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive, the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Der Täter bringt sein Opfer um.
The perpetrator kills his victim.
Word structure
The meaning 'töten' (to kill) is derived from the old expression 'jemanden um das Leben bringen' (to deprive someone of their life). The prefix 'um' expresses a loss here—you deprive someone of their life.
EXAMPLE
Die Gangster drohten, ihn umzubringen.
The gangsters threatened to kill him.
Reflexive use
When a person kills themselves, the verb is used reflexively: 'sich umbringen' (to kill oneself). The reflexive pronoun 'sich' is obligatory here and changes according to the person (ich bringe mich um, du bringst dich um, etc.).
EXAMPLE
Aus Verzweiflung wollte er sich umbringen.
Out of despair, he wanted to kill himself.
Colloquial meaning
In colloquial language, 'umbringen' (to kill) is often used exaggeratively for something that is extremely exhausting or annoying. The subject is then not a person, but a thing or situation such as 'die Arbeit' (the work), 'der Lärm' (the noise), or 'die Hitze' (the heat).
EXAMPLE
Noch eine Stunde Überstunden? Diese Arbeit bringt mich um!
Another hour of overtime? This work is killing me!
Compare with
umbringen vs töten
to kill
Both verbs refer to ending a life. “Töten” is more neutral and can also describe causes or actions without emphasizing violence. “Umbringen” sounds more colloquial and refers to a violent killing, usually understood as the intentional act of a person.
umbringen
Der Angreifer brachte den Mann mit einer Waffe um.
The attacker killed the man with a weapon.
töten
Der giftige Rauch tötete den Mann innerhalb weniger Minuten.
The poisonous smoke killed the man within a few minutes.
In real life
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