der  Betrug

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈtʁuːk/

🧐 What does "der Betrug" mean?

Der Betrug (noun, masculine) refers to an intentional deception or misleading action with the aim of gaining an unlawful advantage for oneself or others, often at the expense of someone else. It's a negative term used in both legal and everyday contexts.

• Legal context: In German criminal law, Betrug is a criminal offense (§ 263 StGB) describing the act of causing or maintaining an error in another person by pretending false facts or distorting/suppressing true facts, thereby inducing that person to dispose of assets in a way that damages their own or a third party's assets.
• General context: In a broader sense, Betrug can also refer to any kind of swindle, cheating, or deceptive act, even if not criminally relevant (e.g., Selbstbetrug - self-deception, Betrug in a relationship).

⚠️ Note: The word Betrug only takes the article der.

Article rules for der, die, and das

The Grammar of "der Betrug" 📖

Betrug is a masculine noun. It follows strong declension.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

The plural of Betrug is die Betrüge. It is used less frequently than the singular, mostly in legal or formal language to refer to multiple cases or acts of fraud.

Example Sentences 📝

1. Der Angeklagte wurde wegen schweren Betrugs verurteilt.
   (The defendant was convicted of serious fraud.)
2. Sie erkannte den Betrug erst, als es zu spät war.
   (She only realized the deception when it was too late.)
3. Dem Chef wurde klar, dass er einem raffinierten Betrug aufgesessen war.
   (The boss realized he had fallen victim to a sophisticated fraud.)
4. Die Polizei ermittelt in mehreren Fällen von Internetbetrug.
   (The police are investigating several cases of internet fraud. - Often used in singular as a collective noun here)
5. Die verschiedenen Betrüge des Angeklagten wurden im Prozess detailliert aufgeführt.
   (The defendant's various fraudulent acts were listed in detail during the trial.)

Usage in Context 💬

Der Betrug is primarily used in contexts dealing with dishonesty, deception, and unlawful gain.

• Law & Crime: Common in police reports, court proceedings, and news about white-collar crime (e.g., Versicherungsbetrug - insurance fraud, Steuerbetrug - tax fraud, Anlagebetrug - investment fraud).
• Business & Finance: In connection with scams, counterfeit products, or misleading advertising.
• Interpersonal Relationships: Can also describe infidelity or serious deception in personal relationships, although Täuschung (deception) or Lüge (lie) are also often used here.
• Morality & Ethics: Discussions about morally reprehensible behavior.

Distinction from similar terms:

• Täuschung: More general, doesn't necessarily involve illegal activity or material damage. Any misleading is a Täuschung, but not every Täuschung is Betrug.
• Schwindel: More colloquial for minor frauds or false claims, often less serious than Betrug.
• Lüge: Refers to a single untrue statement, whereas Betrug often implies a more complex scheme of deception.

Memory Aids for "der Betrug" 🧠

For the article (der): Think of a male perpetrator: Der guy commits der Betrug. (Masculine person -> masculine article).

For the meaning (fraud/deception): The word Betrug contains the idea of "trügen" (to deceive). Someone who commits Betrug tricks you.

Related Words 🌍

⚠️ Potential for Confusion!

Do not confuse der Betrug (fraud, deception) with der Betrag (amount, sum of money). They sound similar but have completely different meanings!

For a Laugh 😄

Warum nehmen Betrüger nie den Aufzug?
Weil sie lieber auf die schiefe Bahn geraten!

(Why do fraudsters never take the elevator?
Because they prefer to go off the rails / get onto the crooked path! - "Auf die schiefe Bahn geraten" is an idiom meaning 'to go astray' or 'turn to crime'.)

A Little Rhyme ✒️

Der Betrug, ein dunkles Spiel,
bringt oft mehr Schaden als Gewinn.
Mit List und Trug verfolgt er's Ziel,
nimmt Ehrlichkeit den Sinn.
Doch Wahrheit kommt ans Licht,
zerbricht das Lügenkonstrukt,
und am Ende, vor Gericht,
wird oft der Täter heimgesucht.

(Fraud, a dark game,
often brings more harm than gain.
With cunning and deceit it pursues its aim,
takes meaning from honesty's domain.
But truth comes to light,
shatters the construct of lies,
and in the end, before the court's sight,
the perpetrator often pays the price.)

Can you guess it? 🤔

Ich kleide mich in falsche Worte,
erscheine an so manchem Orte.
Ich nehme dir dein Gut und Geld,
bin auf der ganzen weiten Welt.
Im Gesetzbuch steh' ich drin,
bin selten nur ein echter Gewinn (für den Geschädigten).

Was bin ich?

(I dress myself in false words,
appear in many places.
I take your goods and money,
I exist all over the wide world.
I'm written in the law book,
rarely am I a real gain (for the victim).

What am I?)

Solution: der Betrug (fraud)

More Information 💡

Word Composition:

Betrug is the noun derived from the verb betrügen (to deceive, to defraud). It comes from the Old High German "bitriogan". The prefix "be-" often indicates acting upon someone/something, and "trügen" means to deceive or mislead.

Legal Context:

The fraud paragraph § 263 in the German Criminal Code (Strafgesetzbuch - StGB) is one of the central paragraphs in property crime law. There are numerous specific forms such as Kreditbetrug (credit fraud), Subventionsbetrug (subsidy fraud), Computerbetrug (computer fraud), etc.