der  Kriegsverbrecher

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈkʁiːɡsˌfɛɐ̯ˌbʁɛçɐ/

🕵️ What exactly is a Kriegsverbrecher?

Der Kriegsverbrecher (masculine) refers to a person who has committed serious violations of international law during a war or armed conflict. Such violations are called Kriegsverbrechen (war crimes).

It is a very serious term from the field of international law and history. The actions typically include killing, torture, deportation of civilians, hostage-taking, destruction of cities, or plunder without military necessity.

🚨 Important: The term is heavily charged legally and historically and should be used precisely.

The female form is die Kriegsverbrecherin.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Under the Microscope: Der Kriegsverbrecher

The noun "Kriegsverbrecher" is masculine and follows strong declension.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der mutmaßliche Kriegsverbrecher wurde vor das internationale Tribunal gestellt.
   (The suspected war criminal was brought before the international tribunal.)
2. Die Anklagepunkte gegen den Kriegsverbrecher waren zahlreich.
   (The charges against the war criminal were numerous.)
3. Man erinnerte an die Opfer des Kriegsverbrechers.
   (They remembered the victims of the war criminal.)
4. Die Verurteilung von Kriegsverbrechern ist ein wichtiger Schritt zur Gerechtigkeit.
   (The conviction of war criminals is an important step towards justice.)

🌐 How is Kriegsverbrecher used?

The term "Kriegsverbrecher" is primarily used in legal, historical, and journalistic contexts.

• Law: In international criminal law to designate persons who have committed Kriegsverbrechen (e.g., before the International Criminal Court).
• History: To describe historical figures held responsible for war crimes (e.g., in the context of the Nuremberg trials after World War II).
• Media: In reports on current conflicts or historical analyses.

⚠️ Due to its severity and the associated accusations, the term should be used carefully and not lightly. Legally, a person is considered a Kriegsverbrecher only after being finally convicted by a competent court.

The female form "die Kriegsverbrecherin" is used analogously when referring to a woman.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Remembering the Article: Verbrecher (criminal) is often associated with men in its basic form, so think der Mann, der Verbrecher, der Kriegsverbrecher.

Remembering the Meaning: Break it down: Krieg (war) + Verbrecher (criminal) = Someone who commits crimes in war. Quite logical!

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

Similar but different terms:

• Verbrecher: General term for someone who committed a crime (not necessarily in war).
• Soldat: Member of the military; not inherently a war criminal.

😅 A Little Chuckle?

Warum tragen Richter immer Roben?

Damit sie nicht vor Gericht verraten, was sie darunter tragen!

(Why do judges always wear robes? So they don't reveal in court what they're wearing underneath! - Note: Given the serious topic of 'Kriegsverbrecher', humor is difficult. This joke refers more generally to the judiciary.)

📜 A Short Poem

Im Schatten des Krieges, wo Recht oft schweigt,
Ein Name fällt, der Schrecken zeigt.
Der Kriegsverbrecher, dessen Taten schwer,
Vor Tribunalen steht er nunmehr.
Die Waage der Justiz, sie senkt sich tief,
Für Leid und Schmerz, das lang und schrecklich schlief.

(In war's shadow, where justice often sleeps,
A name is dropped, evoking fears so deep.
The war criminal, whose deeds weigh heavily,
Before tribunals stands for all to see.
The scales of justice tip, profound and slow,
For pain and sorrow sown long, long ago.)

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich handle wider das Gesetz der Nationen,
wenn Waffen sprechen und Armeen thronen.
Mein Tun bringt Leid in Kriegsgebiet,
vor Den Haag man mich oft wiedersieht.

Wer bin ich?

(I act against the law of nations,
when weapons speak and armies take their stations.
My actions bring suffering to war zones,
Before The Hague, my presence often groans.

Who am I?)

Solution: Der Kriegsverbrecher (The war criminal)

💡 More Interesting Facts

Word Composition

The word "Kriegsverbrecher" is a compound noun, composed of:

• Krieg (noun): War
• -s- (linking element): Connecting sound
• Verbrecher (noun): Criminal

Historical Context

The term gained significant prominence after World War II through the Nuremberg Trials (Nürnberger Prozesse), where leading figures of the Nazi regime were prosecuted for war crimes, crimes against peace, and crimes against humanity.