German word

ermorden

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛɐ̯ˈmɔɐ̯dn̩/

Meaning

  • verbmurder

Example

Der Täter ermordet das Opfer.

The perpetrator murders the victim.

Illustration for ermorden (murder)

More examples

Zeugen sagten, der Täter wollte den Mann auf offener Straße ermorden.

Witnesses said that the perpetrator wanted to murder the man in broad daylight.

Core concept

A deliberate criminal killing, such as an attacker secretly targeting a person.

Common phrases

  • jemanden ermorden

    murder someone

  • auf offener Straße ermorden

    murder ___ in broad daylight

Similar words

töten: Bring about the death of a person or animal, with or without intent.
umbringen: Refer conversationally to killing a person.

Definition in German

einen Mord begehen; also absichtlich und rechtswidrig das Leben einer Person nehmen

Word origin

Ermorden is formed with er- from morden, which is related to Mord and belongs to an old Germanic word family for killing.

Usage tips

  • Ermorden normally describes an intentional and unlawful killing, whereas the broader verb töten also covers lawful or accidental death.

Other meanings

  • assassinateverb

Opposites

Related words

  • die Ermordungmurdernoun
  • der Mördermurderernoun

Word lists with this word