das  Verbrechen

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/fɛɐ̯ˈbʁɛçn/

⚖️ What does 'das Verbrechen' mean?

The German word das Verbrechen (noun, neuter) refers to a serious criminal offense or felony that is punishable by law. It describes an act that violates current law and is considered particularly reprehensible.

In a legal context, German law often distinguishes between Verbrechen (more serious crimes, often punishable with a minimum prison sentence of one year) and Vergehen (less serious offenses, misdemeanors).

This noun always takes the article das. It refers to the act of crime itself.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar of 'das Verbrechen' in Detail

The noun 'Verbrechen' is neuter. Here is its declension:

Example Sentences

• Das Verbrechen wurde schnell aufgeklärt. (The crime was solved quickly.)
• Der Angeklagte wurde wegen mehrerer schwerer Verbrechen verurteilt. (The defendant was convicted of several serious crimes.)
• Er bekannte sich des Verbrechens schuldig. (He pleaded guilty to the crime.)
• Die Polizei ermittelt in diesem grausamen Verbrechen. (The police are investigating this gruesome crime.)

🗣️ How to use 'das Verbrechen'?

'Das Verbrechen' is mostly used in the context of law, criminality, and the justice system. It describes serious criminal acts such as murder, robbery, or aggravated assault.

• Legal Context: The distinction from 'Vergehen' (misdemeanor) is important here. In German criminal law, a 'Verbrechen' is an unlawful act punishable by a minimum of one year's imprisonment (§ 12 StGB - German Criminal Code).
• General Usage: Often, 'Verbrechen' is also used more generally for any type of criminal offense or morally reprehensible act, even if legally it might only be a 'Vergehen'. Example: "Es ist ein Verbrechen, so viel Essen wegzuwerfen!" (It's a crime to throw away so much food! - used metaphorically here).
• Differentiation: Die Straftat is a general term for criminal offenses, encompassing both 'Verbrechen' and 'Vergehen'. Das Delikt is a more formal or technical term for a criminal offense.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'das Verbrechen'

1. For the article 'das': Think of the English word 'dastardly' for a villainous act - a 'Verbrechen' is a dastardly act, and it uses 'das'. Or think of 'das Gesetz' (the law) - 'das Verbrechen' breaks 'das Gesetz'.
2. For the meaning: The word contains 'brechen' (to break). A 'Verbrechen' breaks the law and often breaks people's lives or social order.

You don't easily verget (misspelled 'forget' helps!) what a 'Verbrechen' can do – it breaks something important. And it's das Verbrechen, like das Unrecht (the injustice).

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Caution: Das Vergehen (misdemeanor) is not a synonym; it denotes a less serious offense than 'das Verbrechen'.

😂 A little joke

Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Warum haben Sie die Parkuhr aufgebrochen?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Herr Richter, auf der Uhr stand doch deutlich: Einwurf für 2 Stunden. Ich hatte aber nur eine halbe Stunde Zeit!"

Translation:
The judge asks the defendant: "Why did you break open the parking meter?"
The defendant replies: "Your Honor, the meter clearly said: Insert coins for 2 hours. But I only had half an hour!"

📜 A short poem

Das Verbrechen lauert oft im Dunkeln,
lässt Recht und Ordnung funkeln –
im Kampf dagegen, klar und rein,
doch hinterlässt es Schmerz und Pein.

Es bricht Gesetz, Vertrauen, Ruh,
deckt menschlich Abgründiges zu.
Die Waage Justitias muss richten,
die böse Tat korrekt zu schlichten.

Translation:
The crime often lurks in the dark,
makes law and order spark –
in the fight against it, clear and pure,
yet it leaves behind pain and hurt, for sure.

It breaks the law, trust, and peace,
reveals human abysses that never cease.
Justice's scales must judge aright,
to settle the evil deed with all their might.

❓ Riddle

Ich bin ein Bruch, doch nicht von Glas.
Ich bringe Unheil, Leid und Hass.
Das Gesetz will mich bestrafen schwer,
bringt Täter hinter Gitter her.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I am a break, but not of glass.
I bring disaster, suffering, and hate, alas.
The law wants to punish me severely,
brings perpetrators behind bars, clearly.

What am I?(Solution: das Verbrechen / the crime)

ℹ️ Other Information

Word Composition: The word 'Verbrechen' is derived from the verb 'verbrechen' (to commit a crime, to perpetrate). The prefix 'ver-' can indicate something negative or misguided (similar to 'versagen' - to fail, 'verlieren' - to lose). The stem 'brechen' (to break) points to the breaking of rules or laws.

Cultural Aspects: The definition and perception of 'Verbrechen' can change across cultures and throughout history. What is considered a crime today might not have been in the past, and vice versa.