der Kollateralschaden
Translation
collateral damage
Examples
Der Militärschlag verursachte hohe Kollateralschäden.
The military strike caused high collateral damage.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) als Kollateralschaden bezeichnen to describe (sth.) as collateral damage Civilian casualties were described as collateral damage.
Similar Words
Nebenwirkung (side effect), unbeabsichtigte Folge (unintended consequence)
Etymology
From Latin 'collateralis' (side-by-side) and German 'Schaden' (damage). Literally 'side damage'.
Memory Tips
It's a direct equivalent of the English 'collateral damage'. Think of damage that happens 'on the side' of the main target.