German word

Todesfall

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈtoːdəsˌfal/

Meaning

  • masculine noundeath

Example

Nach dem Unfall gab es mehrere Todesfälle.

There were several deaths after the accident.

Illustration for Todesfall (death)

More examples

Bei dem Brand gab es leider einen Todesfall.

Unfortunately, there was one death in the fire.

Core concept

One person's death treated as a documented event that can be counted among other such events.

Common phrases

  • bei einem Todesfall

    in the event of a death

  • mehrere Todesfälle

    several deaths

  • ein unerwarteter Todesfall

    an unexpected death

Similar words

Tod: The end of a person's life.
Sterbefall: A death treated as an official or administrative event.
Verstorbene: A person who has died, viewed as an individual.

Definition in German

Das Auftreten des Todes einer Person; ein zählbarer Fall, oft in amtlichem oder statistischem Zusammenhang verwendet.

Word origin

The compound Todesfall joins Tod with Fall in its sense of an individual case or occurrence.

Usage tips

  • The plural is Todesfälle, with the umlaut marking the change from Fall to Fälle rather than simply adding -s.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word