der  Ankläger

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈanklɛːɡɐ/

⚖️ What does 'der Ankläger' mean?

Der Ankläger is the person who brings charges against another person (the Angeklagter - accused) in a court proceeding, especially in a Strafverfahren (criminal trial). This role is often fulfilled by the Staatsanwalt (public prosecutor), who acts on behalf of the state.

However, it can also refer to a Privatkläger (private prosecutor), meaning a private individual who, under certain legal conditions, can bring charges themselves (e.g., for specific types of offenses requiring a formal complaint).

Essentially, the Ankläger is the party claiming that the accused committed a crime and seeking their conviction.

🚨 Caution: 'Der Kläger' (plaintiff/claimant) is typically used in Zivilprozess (civil proceedings), while 'der Ankläger' is associated with Strafprozess (criminal proceedings).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Declension of 'Ankläger'

'Ankläger' is a masculine noun and follows the weak N-declension (schwache N-Deklination). This means it takes the ending -n in all cases in the singular except for the nominative, and also in the dative plural.

📝 Example Sentences

• Der Ankläger forderte eine hohe Freiheitsstrafe. (The prosecutor demanded a long prison sentence.)
• Die Argumente des Anklägers waren überzeugend. (The prosecutor's arguments were convincing.)
• Das Gericht folgte dem Ankläger nicht vollständig. (The court did not fully agree with the prosecutor.)
• Der Zeuge belastete den Ankläger unerwartet. (The witness unexpectedly incriminated the prosecutor. - Note: 'Ankläger' here is the person accusing, be careful with context!)
• Die Ankläger bereiteten sich gemeinsam vor. (The prosecutors prepared together.)

🗣️ How is 'Ankläger' used?

The term 'Ankläger' is used almost exclusively in a legal context (rechtlicher Kontext), specifically in criminal law (Strafrecht).

• Staatsanwalt as Ankläger: In most cases, the public prosecutor (Staatsanwalt) acts as the Ankläger on behalf of the state. You often say 'der Staatsanwalt' or 'die Staatsanwaltschaft' (the prosecution), but 'der Ankläger' is also correct.
• Privatkläger: For certain offenses (e.g., Beleidigung - insult, Hausfriedensbruch - trespassing), the victim can act as a private prosecutor (Privatkläger). The term 'Ankläger' also applies here.
• Distinction from Kläger: In civil law (Zivilrecht), one speaks of the 'Kläger' (plaintiff/claimant) and the 'Beklagter' (defendant). In criminal law, it's the 'Ankläger' (prosecutor/accuser) and 'Angeklagter' (defendant/accused).

In general conversation outside of court, the word is rarely used. One would more likely say 'Er hat ihn beschuldigt' (He accused him) rather than 'Er war sein Ankläger' (He was his accuser).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article 'der': Think of the important figures in court: DER Richter (judge), DER Verteidiger (defense attorney). The prosecutor, DER Ankläger, is another key male role (grammatically masculine).

Meaning: The word comes from 'anklagen' (to accuse). The Ankläger is the person who does the accusing. It sounds a bit like 'accuse-er'.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms for Ankläger

⚠️ Important: The precise legal meanings can differ. 'Kläger' and 'Ankläger' are generally not interchangeable!

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: „Warum haben Sie die Parkuhr aufgebrochen?“
Angeklagter: „Herr Richter, Ihr Ankläger hat doch eben selbst gesagt: ‚Die Zeit heilt alle Wunden!‘ Ich wollte nur nachsehen, wie viel Zeit schon drin war.“

(Judge asks the defendant: "Why did you break open the parking meter?"
Defendant: "Your Honor, your prosecutor just said himself: 'Time heals all wounds!' I just wanted to see how much time was already inside.")

✍️ Poem about the Prosecutor

Im Saal der ernsten Worte,
an diesem ernsten Orte,
tritt vor der Ankläger, klar,
stellt Schuld und Tathergang dar.

Mit Akten, schwer und dicht,
erfüllt er seine Pflicht.
Für Recht und Staatsgewalt,
sein Wort hat oft Gestalt.

(In the hall of serious words,
at this serious place,
steps forward the prosecutor, clear,
presenting guilt and the course of events.

With files, heavy and dense,
he fulfills his duty.
For justice and state power,
his word often takes shape.)

❓ Riddle

Ich steh' im Gericht, doch urteile nicht.
Ich spreche von Schuld und bring' sie ans Licht.
Dem Verteidiger steh' ich gegenüber im Streit.
Wer bin ich, in diesem juristischen Kleid?

(I stand in court, but do not judge.
I speak of guilt and bring it to light.
I face the defense attorney in dispute.
Who am I, in this legal attire?)

Lösung/Solution: Der Ankläger (The Prosecutor/Accuser)

💡 Other Information

• Word Formation: The word is derived from the verb 'anklagen' (to accuse) with the suffix '-er', which denotes a person performing the action (agent noun).
• Feminine Form: The feminine form is 'die Anklägerin' (female prosecutor/accuser).
• Historical Context: The role of the prosecutor has evolved over centuries, from primarily private accusations to the modern state monopoly on prosecution held by the 'Staatsanwaltschaft' in many areas.