tot
/toːt/
The English word 'dead' is translated into German as tot. Wiktionary also lists gestorben.
Meaning: no longer alive (adj)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| tot | /toːt/ |
| gestorben | /ɡəˈʃtɔʁbən/ |
The primary way to say someone or something is no longer alive is using the adjective tot.
Which one should you use?
Use tot when you want to describe a state (dead). Use gestorben when you are describing the action that occurred (died).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, tot must take various endings depending on the gender and case of the noun it modifies. For example, you would use tote for feminine singular or plural nouns in certain grammatical cases.
How do you pronounce it?
/toːt/
Did you know?
- When describing a 'dead end' street, German uses Sackgasse, which literally translates to 'sack alley' rather than using the word tot.
- German uses the phrase totgeprügelt to describe something that has been 'beaten to death', but it is also used metaphorically for an idea that has been over-discussed.
- In German, one can say jemand ist über die Klinge gefallen to mean someone has died in battle, which literally translates to 'fallen over the blade'.
Examples in context
- Der Typ ist tot.This guy is dead.This sentence uses tot to show how to state that a person is dead.Tatoeba #13048638 by Yorwba, translation #12811923 by CK
- Der Hund ist tot.The dog is dead.This sentence uses tot to show how to state that an animal is dead.Tatoeba #782204 by Manfredo, translation #508844 by kebukebu
- Er muss tot sein.He must be dead.This sentence uses tot to express a deduction about someone being dead.Tatoeba #1777633 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1777413 by Spamster
- Der Verstorbene wurde im Kreise seiner Familie beerdigtThe deceased was buried surrounded by his family.
- Mein Hund ist leider totUnfortunately, my dog is dead.
- Mein aufrichtiges Beileid zum Verlust Ihrer verstorbenen Mutter.My sincere condolences for the loss of your deceased mother.
- Es tut mir leid zu hören, dass dein Großvater gestorben ist.I'm sorry to hear that your grandfather has died.
- Unser alter Kater hat endlich das Zeitliche gesegnet und ist im Katzenhimmel.Our old tomcat has finally kicked the bucket and is in cat heaven.
- 589 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Julian are looking at a flower pot in the hallway.
- HannahJulian, schau dir diese Blume an.Julian, look at this flower.
- JulianOh, sie ist leider schon tot.Oh, it is unfortunately already dead.
- HannahHast du sie zu viel gegossen?Did you water it too much?
- JulianJa, das habe ich wohl getan.Yes, I suppose I did.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dead” translations and entries tot, gestorben, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
