das  Unrecht

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʊnʁɛçt/

⚖️ What does "das Unrecht" mean?

Das Unrecht refers to a state or action perceived as unjust, wrong, or unlawful. It's the opposite of Recht or Gerechtigkeit.

It's an abstract noun, often describing moral or legal wrongdoing. You can Unrecht tun (to do wrong to someone) or be im Unrecht sein (to be in the wrong).

🚨 Watch out: The word is almost exclusively used in the singular. A plural form ("die Unrechte") is extremely rare and uncommon.

🧐 Grammar of "das Unrecht" in Detail

Unrecht is a neuter noun and takes the article "das". It is typically declined only in the singular, as it's an abstract concept.

Declension (Singular)

Note: The Genitive and Dative forms ending in "-e" are less common and often sound more formal or archaic.

💡 Example Sentences

• Niemand sollte Unrecht erleiden müssen. (Nobody should have to suffer injustice.)
• Sie war sich des Unrechts bewusst, das ihr angetan wurde. (She was aware of the wrong that had been done to her.)
• Er handelte aus dem Gefühl heraus, dem Unrecht entgegenwirken zu müssen. (He acted out of a feeling of having to counteract the injustice.)
• Die Organisation kämpft gegen das Unrecht in der Welt. (The organization fights against injustice in the world.)
• Ihm wurde großes Unrecht getan. (A great wrong was done to him.)
• Er gestand ein, im Unrecht gewesen zu sein. (He admitted to having been in the wrong.)

🗣️ How to use "das Unrecht"?

Das Unrecht is used in various contexts, often with moral or legal connotations:

• Moral/Ethical: To describe actions considered unfair or immoral. Example: Es war ein großes Unrecht, ihn zu beschuldigen. (It was a great injustice to accuse him.)
• Legal: In the sense of a violation of rights or illegality, although Widerrechtlichkeit or Straftat are often more precise. Example: Gegen das geschehene Unrecht wurde Klage eingereicht. (A lawsuit was filed against the injustice that occurred.)
• General: To express that someone is mistaken or holds a false belief (in the phrase im Unrecht sein). Example: Ich gebe zu, ich war im Unrecht. (I admit, I was wrong.)

Typical Collocations (Word Combinations):

• Unrecht tun / antun / zufügen (to do / inflict wrong)
• Unrecht erleiden / erfahren (to suffer / experience injustice)
• Unrecht bekämpfen / wiedergutmachen (to fight / redress wrong)
• im Unrecht sein (to be in the wrong)
• zu Unrecht (adverb: wrongly, unjustly) - Example: Er wurde zu Unrecht verurteilt. (He was wrongly convicted.)

Distinction: While das Unrecht often carries a moral dimension, der Fehler refers more to an objectively incorrect action or statement without necessary moral condemnation.

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Unrecht"

For the Article: Think of the "Un-" prefix as negating Recht. This negation creates something that isn't 'right', perhaps making it feel 'neutral' in a sense? Remember 'neutral' starts with 'neu-' like the German gender 'Neutrum' -> das Unrecht.

For the Meaning: Picture the scales of Justice (Justitia). When they are not balanced (not 'right' or recht), there is Unrecht. The prefix "Un-" often means "not" or "opposite," so it's literally the opposite of Recht (right/justice).

↔️ Opposites and Similar Terms

⚠️ Similar but Different Words:

• unrecht (adjective/adverb): Means "wrong", "unjust", or "incorrect". Example: Deine Antwort ist unrecht. (Your answer is wrong.) Du hast unrecht gehandelt. (You acted wrongly.) The noun is das Unrecht.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Geben Sie zu, dem Opfer Unrecht getan zu haben?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Herr Richter, ich bin doch nicht hier, um über meine Erfolge zu sprechen!"

(The judge asks the defendant: "Do you admit to having done the victim wrong?"
The defendant replies: "Your Honor, I'm not here to talk about my successes!")

(Please take this with a grain of salt!)

📜 Poem about Injustice (das Unrecht)

Wo Schatten fällt, wo Wahrheit flieht,
Da keimt und wächst das Unrecht still.
Ein Stachel tief, der Schmerzen zieht,
Ein dunkler, kalter, bittrer Drill.

Es nagt am Herz, vergiftet Sinn,
Wenn Fairness weicht und Willkür thront.
Doch Hoffnung glimmt, tief innen drin,
Dass Recht am Ende sich doch lohnt.

(Where shadows fall, where truth takes flight,
There quietly sprouts and grows injustice.
A deep thorn that draws out pain,
A dark, cold, bitter strain.

It gnaws the heart, poisons the mind,
When fairness yields and arbitrariness is enthroned.
But hope glimmers, deep inside,
That justice, in the end, is owned.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin das Gegenteil von fair,
Bring' oft nur Kummer und Beschwer.
Man tut mich an, man leidet mich,
Wer im Recht ist, hat mich nicht.

Was bin ich?

(I am the opposite of fair,
Often bringing only sorrow and care.
I am done to you, I am suffered by you,
Whoever is in the right, doesn't have me through.

What am I?
Solution: das Unrecht (injustice/wrong)

🧩 Other Information

Word Formation:

The word Unrecht is composed of:

• The prefix "Un-", expressing negation or the opposite.
• The noun Recht, meaning justice, law, or right/entitlement.

So, it literally means "non-right" or "opposite of right".

Philosophical Significance:

The concept of Unrecht is central to many ethical and philosophical discussions about justice, morality, and the foundations of social coexistence.