der  Angeklagte

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaŋəˌklaːktə/

⚖️ What does "Angeklagte" mean?

The word "Angeklagte" is a nominalized past participle of the verb "anklagen" (to accuse). It refers to a person against whom charges have been formally filed in a criminal proceeding and the main trial has been opened.

Although the input was only "der", it's important to know:

• der Angeklagte: refers to a male person.
• die Angeklagte: refers to a female person.
• die Angeklagten: refers to multiple people (plural).

It's a person who must answer charges in court. Until a final conviction, the presumption of innocence (Unschuldsvermutung) applies.

⚠️ Important Distinction: A Beschuldigter is someone who is under investigation, but formal charges have not yet been filed. An Angeklagter is the person after the indictment has been filed and the main proceedings have been opened.

🧐 Grammar of "Angeklagte" in Detail

"Angeklagte" is declined like an adjective when used as a noun (nominalized adjective/participle). The declension depends on the gender and the preceding article (definite, indefinite) or pronoun.

Here is the declension following the definite article ("der", "die", "das" - relevant here: "der", "die"):

Masculine (der Angeklagte)

Feminine (die Angeklagte)

Plural (die Angeklagten)

Declension after the indefinite article ("ein", "eine") follows a different pattern (mixed declension).

Example Sentences

1. Der Angeklagte plädierte auf "nicht schuldig".
   (The [male] accused pleaded "not guilty".)
2. Die Aussage des Angeklagten war widersprüchlich.
   (The statement of the [male] accused was contradictory.)
3. Das Gericht glaubte dem Angeklagten nicht.
   (The court did not believe the [male] accused.)
4. Der Staatsanwalt befragte den Angeklagten.
   (The prosecutor questioned the [male] accused.)
5. Die Angeklagte verfolgte die Verhandlung aufmerksam.
   (The [female] accused followed the trial attentively.)
6. Alle Augen waren auf die Angeklagten gerichtet.
   (All eyes were directed at the accused [plural].)

🧑‍⚖️ When to use "Angeklagte"?

The word "Angeklagte(r)" is used almost exclusively in a legal context, specifically in criminal law.

• Criminal Trial (Strafprozess): Refers to the person indicted by the prosecution, whose guilt or innocence the court must decide.
• Media Reporting: Frequently used in news and reports about court cases.
• Formal Language: It is a formal term within the justice system.

Distinction from similar terms:

• Beschuldigter: Person under investigation, before indictment (suspect/accused).
• Beklagter: Party in a civil lawsuit (defendant), not criminal.
• Verdächtiger: Person under initial suspicion (even less concrete than Beschuldigter).
• Verurteilter: Person who has been legally convicted.

Using the correct article (der/die) and declension is important to correctly indicate gender and case.

🧠 Mnemonics for "Angeklagte"

1. Article & Gender (der/die):

Imagine the person accused ("angeklagt") in court. Is it a man? Think "Der guy is accused!" Is it a woman? Think "Die dame is accused!" The article matches the natural gender.

2. Meaning (Angeklagt = Accused):

The word comes from "anklagen" (to accuse). The person is the one being "accused" or brought "an" (to) court to face the "Klage" (complaint/charge). The "-te" ending signifies the person, similar to "Beamte" (official) or "Bekannte" (acquaintance).

🔄 Synonyms, Antonyms & Similar Terms

⚠️ Similar Terms (Avoid Confusion):

• Angeklagter vs. Beklagter: The former is criminal law, the latter is civil law.
• Angeklagter vs. Beschuldigter: Different stages in the criminal procedure.

😄 A Little Joke

Richter: "Angeklagter, Sie sind beschuldigt, in eine Bank eingebrochen zu sein."
Angeklagter: "Ich schwöre, Herr Richter, ich wollte nur mein Konto überziehen!"

Translation:
Judge: "Defendant, you are accused of breaking into a bank."
Defendant: "I swear, Your Honor, I just wanted to overdraw my account!"

📜 Poem about the Accused

Im Saale sitzt er, blass und stumm,
der Angeklagte, fragt sich: "Warum?"
Die Schuld wird schwer, die Luft ist dicht,
Er hofft auf Gnade, auf ein Licht.
Der Hammer fällt, das Urteil spricht,
Sein Schicksal wendet sich im Gericht.

Translation:
In the hall he sits, pale and mute,
the accused, asking himself: "Why?"
The burden of guilt is heavy, the air is thick,
He hopes for mercy, for a light.
The gavel falls, the verdict speaks,
His fate turns in the court.

🧩 Riddle

Ich sitze vor Gericht, doch richte nicht.
Man klagt mich an bei Tageslicht.
Mein Name sagt, was man mir tut,
Bis zum Urteil bangt mein Mut.

Wer bin ich?

Translation:
I sit in court, but do not judge.
I am accused in daylight.
My name tells what is done to me,
Until the verdict, my courage fears.

Who am I?
(Solution: der Angeklagte / die Angeklagte - the accused/defendant)

💡 Other Information

Word Composition:

The word "Angeklagte(r)" is a nominalized past participle. It derives from the verb "anklagen" (to accuse).

• an-: prefix
• klagen: verb (to complain, to sue, to lament)
• Past Participle: angeklagt (accused)
• Nominalization: der/die Angeklagte (the accused person)

Cultural Context:

The role of the Angeklagter is central to understanding the principle of the rule of law (Rechtsstaatsprinzip), particularly the presumption of innocence ("in dubio pro reo" - when in doubt, for the accused), which states that a person is considered innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.