The invention relates to an intermediate circuit discharge unit for an intermediate circuit discharge, in particular of a multi-level inverter, having a capacitor and a discharge circuit which is connected in parallel, where the discharge circuit has an active discharge branch with at least one first discharge element and a passive discharge branch with at least one second discharge element. The active discharge branch comprises a first control connection, and the passive discharge branch comprises a second control connection. The active discharge branch is coupled to the passive discharge branch via the first control connection in such a way that the active discharge branch can be controlled by the passive discharge branch, in particular a discharge via the active discharge branch can be activated or deactivated as required. The invention further relates to an electrical assembly, a vehicle, as well as a method.