genocide
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genocide
The systematic and intentional destruction of a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. The term is clearly defined in legal and historical contexts.
Der Völkermord an den Armeniern wird von vielen Staaten offiziell anerkannt.
The genocide of the Armenians is officially recognized by many states.
The word is composed of 'Völker' (plural of 'das Volk', the people/nation) and 'Mord' (murder). It literally means 'the murder of peoples'.
Das Thema des Seminars ist die juristische Aufarbeitung von Völkermord.
The topic of the seminar is the legal reappraisal of genocide.
When the affected group is named, it follows the preposition 'an' in the dative. The pattern is: der Völkermord an [group in the dative].
Der Internationale Strafgerichtshof untersucht den Völkermord an den Jesiden.
The International Criminal Court is investigating the genocide of the Yazidis.
This word is often used with certain verbs. You can 'begehen' (commit), 'verüben' (perpetrate), 'leugnen' (deny), or legally 'anerkennen' (recognize) a genocide.
Es ist eine Straftat, den Völkermord zu leugnen.
It is a criminal offense to deny the genocide.
destruction
'die Vernichtung' and 'der Völkermord' can both refer to extreme violence and annihilation. However, 'die Vernichtung' is much more general: it can mean the complete destruction of things, places, or people. 'der Völkermord' is a precise historical and legal term. It means the intentional and systematic destruction of a specific national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. The words can be confused because genocide is often described in terms of destruction or annihilation. Still, 'Völkermord' is only appropriate for this specific case.
Im Geschichtsunterricht sprechen wir über den Völkermord und seine Folgen.
In history class, we talk about the genocide and its consequences.
Die Vernichtung ganzer Dörfer wurde später in einem Bericht beschrieben.
The destruction of entire villages was later described in a report.