zelfmoord

Dutch

Etymology

From zelf- (self-) +‎ moord (murder). A calque of German Selbstmord, from New Latin suīcīdium.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈzɛlf.moːrt/
  • Audio:(file)
  • Hyphenation: zelf‧moord

Noun

zelfmoord m (plural zelfmoorden)

  1. suicide [from 18th c.]
    Synonyms: (medical, formal) suïcide, zelfdoding
  2. (figurative) self-destruction, self-destructive behaviour

Usage notes

  • While zelfmoord is the most common term used, particularly in informal conversation, suïcide or zelfdoding are used in contexts (such as in medical language) where a more neutral term with less negative connotations is desired, the literal meaning of zelfmoord being "self-murder".

Derived terms

Descendants

  • Afrikaans: selfmoord
  • Indonesian: bunuh diri (calque)