Dictionary
English - German
Kill
kɪl
Extremely common
600 - 700
600 - 700
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
töten, umbringen, abschießen, vernichten, erschlagen
Kill meanings in German
töten
Example:
The hunter killed a deer.
Der Jäger tötete einen Hirsch.
The murderer killed his victim.
Der Mörder tötete sein Opfer.
Usage: formalContext: Used in serious or tragic situations
Note: This is the most common translation of 'kill' in Deutsch, referring to the act of taking someone's life.
umbringen
Example:
The poison will kill the rats.
Das Gift wird die Ratten umbringen.
He threatened to kill her if she didn't comply.
Er drohte, sie umzubringen, wenn sie nicht gehorche.
Usage: formalContext: Used in threats or when talking about the intentional act of causing death
Note: This translation is often used in a more deliberate or premeditated context.
abschießen
Example:
The soldiers killed the enemy with their guns.
Die Soldaten schossen den Feind mit ihren Gewehren ab.
The police had to kill the aggressive dog to protect the public.
Die Polizei musste den aggressiven Hund abschießen, um die Öffentlichkeit zu schützen.
Usage: formalContext: Used in military or law enforcement contexts
Note: This translation is often used when referring to shooting or gunning down a target.
vernichten
Example:
The virus can kill thousands of people if not stopped.
Das Virus kann Tausende von Menschen vernichten, wenn es nicht gestoppt wird.
The tornado killed all the crops in the field.
Der Tornado vernichtete alle Ernten auf dem Feld.
Usage: formalContext: Used in contexts of devastation or destruction
Note: This translation is often used metaphorically to indicate the complete destruction or annihilation of something.
erschlagen
Example:
The hammer killed the spider with one blow.
Der Hammer erschlug die Spinne mit einem Schlag.
The rock fell and killed the bird instantly.
Der Fels fiel herab und erschlug den Vogel sofort.
Usage: formalContext: Used in cases of physical impact causing death
Note: This translation is specifically used when referring to killing by striking or crushing.
Kill's synonyms
murder
Murder refers to the intentional killing of a person, often unlawfully.
Example: The suspect was charged with first-degree murder.
Note: Murder specifically implies the unlawful or criminal act of killing someone.
slay
Slay means to kill in a fierce or violent manner, often used in a heroic or epic context.
Example: The dragon slayed the knight with its fiery breath.
Note: Slay is more commonly associated with mythical or heroic contexts.
terminate
Terminate can mean to end something or to cause the death of a living being.
Example: The company decided to terminate the project due to budget constraints.
Note: Terminate has a broader meaning beyond just causing death.
execute
Execute means to carry out a sentence of death on a person as a punishment.
Example: The king ordered the execution of the traitor.
Note: Execute is often used in a legal or official context.
dispatch
Dispatch means to deal with a person or problem quickly and efficiently, often implying killing swiftly.
Example: The sniper dispatched the target with precision.
Note: Dispatch can also mean to send off to a destination or to complete a task.
Kill expressions, common phrases
Kill two birds with one stone
This means to accomplish two things with a single action, making the most of your time and effort.
Example: By studying during my commute, I can kill two birds with one stone: I save time and improve my knowledge.
Note: The phrase uses 'kill' metaphorically to represent achieving multiple goals rather than causing harm.
Kill time
To do something that fills up time, especially when waiting for something else to happen.
Example: I was early for the meeting, so I killed time by reading a book in the waiting room.
Note: In this context, 'kill' is used to signify passing time rather than causing harm or death.
Kill it
To do something exceptionally well or with great success.
Example: She killed it in the dance competition, impressing the judges and the audience.
Note: Here, 'kill' is used to express mastery or excellence rather than causing harm.
Killing me
This expression means something is very funny, entertaining, or causing extreme amusement.
Example: His jokes are killing me; I can't stop laughing.
Note: 'Killing' in this context refers to laughter or enjoyment, not actual harm.
A killing
To make a large amount of money or profit, usually quickly and easily.
Example: He made a killing on the stock market, earning a huge profit in just a few days.
Note: In this phrase, 'killing' is used figuratively to indicate financial success rather than causing harm.
To kill for
To desire something so much that you would do almost anything to have it.
Example: I would kill for a slice of pizza right now; I'm so hungry!
Note: In this case, 'kill' shows extreme desire or longing for something, not a willingness to harm.
Kill everyday (slang) expressions
Bump someone off
To kill or murder someone, often used in a criminal context.
Example: The mob boss wanted to bump off his rival.
Note: This slang term is more informal and has a darker or more sinister connotation compared to simply saying 'kill.'
Offing someone
To kill or eliminate someone, typically discreetly or covertly.
Example: He had a plan for offing the witness who could put him in jail.
Note: It implies a secretive or clandestine action, often associated with criminal activities.
Whack
To kill someone, especially in a violent or brutal manner.
Example: The hitman was assigned to whack the target before dawn.
Note: This term is more colloquial and can have a more aggressive or brutal implication compared to the word 'kill.'
Finish off
To kill, complete, or conclude something, especially in a decisive way.
Example: The soldiers were ordered to finish off the remaining enemy combatants.
Note: It can refer to completing a task by eliminating something or someone, usually to the point of finality.
Take out
To kill or eliminate someone, often with precision or from a distance.
Example: The sniper was instructed to take out the high-profile target from a distance.
Note: It suggests a deliberate and often strategic act of removing a target, commonly used in military or espionage contexts.
Off someone
To kill or murder someone, typically in a premeditated manner.
Example: The crime boss wanted to off the informant before the trial.
Note: It conveys a sense of planning or intent in carrying out the act of taking someone's life.
Put down
To kill an animal or a person, often to alleviate pain or suffering.
Example: The vet had to put down the injured horse to end its suffering.
Note: While 'put down' can be used in a euthanasia context, it is also a more delicate or euphemistic way to say 'kill.'
Kill - Examples
Kill the spider!
Töte die Spinne!
The virus can kill you.
Der Virus kann dich töten.
The assassin was hired to kill the politician.
Der Auftragsmörder wurde engagiert, um den Politiker zu töten.
Kill grammar
Kill - Verb (Verb) / Verb, base form (Verb, base form)
Lemma: kill
Conjugations
Noun, plural (Noun, plural): kills
Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): kill
Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): killed
Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): killing
Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): kills
Verb, base form (Verb, base form): kill
Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): kill
Syllables, Separation and Stress
kill Contains 1 syllables: kill
Phonetic transcription: ˈkil
kill , ˈkil (The red syllable is stressed)
Kill - Importance and usage frequency
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
kill: 600 - 700 (Extremely common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
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