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 is 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

• zelfmoordaanslag
• zelfmoordbrief
• zelfmoordneiging
• zelfmoordpiloot
• zelfmoordpoging
• zelfmoordterrorist

 

Descendants

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