der
Komplize
🕵️ What exactly is a 'Komplize'?
Der Komplize (noun, masculine) refers to a person who assists or participates in the planning or execution of a punishable act (strafbare Handlung) or a reprehensible undertaking (verwerfliches Unternehmen). So, it means an accomplice or confederate, often in a criminal context.
The feminine form is die Komplizin.
The word has a clearly negative connotation and is almost exclusively used in connection with illegal or morally questionable actions.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Male characters → always masculine.
Caution: Most professions also have their feminine forms (e.g. die Polizistin). Some words can also have two forms: der/die Deutsche, der/die Kranke.
🧐 Grammar Check: Declension of 'Komplize'
The noun 'der Komplize' belongs to the weak N-declension (schwache N-Deklination). This means it takes the ending -n in all cases except the nominative singular.
Case | Article | Noun |
---|---|---|
Nominative | der | Komplize |
Genitive | des | Komplizen |
Dative | dem | Komplizen |
Accusative | den | Komplizen |
Case | Article | Noun |
---|---|---|
Nominative | die | Komplizen |
Genitive | der | Komplizen |
Dative | den | Komplizen |
Accusative | die | Komplizen |
📝 Example Sentences
- Die Polizei verhaftete den Dieb und seinen Komplizen.
The police arrested the thief and his accomplice. - Ohne die Hilfe seines Komplizen hätte er den Tresor nicht öffnen können.
Without the help of his accomplice, he couldn't have opened the safe. - Die Ermittler suchen nach weiteren möglichen Komplizen.
The investigators are looking for other possible accomplices. - Sie wurde als Komplizin des Betrügers angeklagt.
She was charged as the fraudster's accomplice. (Feminine form)
🗣️ How to Use 'Komplize'?
The term 'Komplize' is used almost exclusively in the context of criminal offenses (Straftaten) or morally reprehensible actions (moralisch verwerfliche Handlungen). It implies active participation or at least complicity and support.
- Typical Context: Crime, judiciary, police reports, but also metaphorically for unethical behavior in other areas (e.g., business, politics).
- Distinction: A 'Zeuge' (witness) observed something, an 'Opfer' (victim) was harmed, a 'Täter' (perpetrator) carries out the main act. The 'Komplize' is a co-perpetrator or helper. An 'Anstifter' (instigator) induces someone to commit the crime, while the 'Komplize' helps in its execution.
- Connotation: Strongly negative. Nobody wants to be called a 'Komplize'.
⚠️ Avoid using it in neutral or positive contexts. For partners in legal activities, use words like Partner, Kollege (colleague), Mitarbeiter (co-worker), Helfer (helper).
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
How can you remember 'der Komplize'?
Mnemonic for the article: Imagine DER Detective (masculine) chasing den Komplizen (masculine, accusative). Or: DER Komplize is often a maN (N-declension!).
Mnemonic for the meaning: A Komplize is complicit in a crime. They make things complicated for the law.
↔️ Opposites and Similar Meanings: Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Mittäter: Co-perpetrator; someone who commits a crime together with others.
- Gehilfe/Helfershelfer: Helper/accessory; someone who assists in a crime, often in a subordinate role.
- Mitwisser: Person in the know; someone aware of the crime but not necessarily actively involved (can still be punishable).
- Spießgeselle (rather dated): Buddy in crime; similar to Komplize, often for petty crimes.
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Gegner: Opponent; someone against the act or the perpetrator.
- Widersacher: Adversary; similar to opponent, often in direct conflict.
- Opfer: Victim; the person harmed by the crime.
- Zeuge: Witness; a person who observed the crime.
- Ermittler/Polizist: Investigator/Police officer; people solving the crime.
🚨 Risk of Confusion?
Sometimes 'Komplize' is mistakenly used for neutral partners. Remember: 'Komplize' carries a negative weight. A 'Geschäftspartner' (business partner) is not a 'Komplize' (unless they are planning illegal business!).
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Hatten Sie einen Komplizen?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Was denken Sie denn? Alleine hätte ich die Bank doch niemals tragen können!"
Translation: The judge asks the defendant: "Did you have an accomplice?"
The defendant replies: "What do you think? I could never have carried the bank alone!" (Pun: 'Bank' means 'bank' and 'bench').
✒️ Poem about the 'Komplize'
Im Schatten leis, mit leisem Schritt,
Geht der Komplize immer mit.
Ein Plan verwegen, kühn und schlecht,
Gemeinsam wird er ausgeflecht'.
Er hält die Wacht, reicht das Gerät,
Bis dass die Tat zu Ende geht.
Doch Schuld und Furcht, sie bleiben hier,
Der Komplize – Teil vom düstren Wir.
Translation:
In shadows soft, with silent stride,
The accomplice walks close by the side.
A plan audacious, bold and bad,
Together woven, makes them glad.
He keeps the watch, hands o'er the tool,
Until the act breaks every rule.
But guilt and fear remain inside,
The accomplice – nowhere left to hide.
❓ Little Riddle
Ich helfe gern, doch nicht im Licht,
Mein Tun hält meist keinem Gericht.
Bin selten allein, brauch einen Partner im Spiel,
Für dunkle Taten bin ich das Ziel.
Wer bin ich?
Translation:
I like to help, but not in plain sight,
My actions usually shun the court's light.
I'm rarely alone, need a partner in the game,
For dark deeds, I earn my fame.
Who am I?
Solution: der Komplize (the accomplice)
ℹ️ Trivia about the 'Komplize'
- Word Origin: The word 'Komplize' comes from the French 'complice', which in turn derives from the Late Latin 'complex, complicis', meaning "interwoven, involved". The negative meaning developed later.
- Feminine Form: The explicit feminine form is 'die Komplizin'.
- Legal Meaning: In German criminal law (Strafrecht), the distinction is usually made between perpetration (Täterschaft - principal, co-perpetrator) and participation (Teilnahme - instigation, aiding and abetting). 'Komplize' is more of a colloquial umbrella term for participants.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Komplize?
The word "Komplize" is masculine, so the correct article is der. It follows the N-declension (e.g., des Komplizen, die Komplizen) and refers to an accomplice or confederate in a crime.