der  Verdächtige

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/fɛɐ̯ˈdɛçtɪɡə/

🕵️ What does "der Verdächtige" mean?

Der Verdächtige is a noun referring to a male person who is suspected of having committed a crime or something wrong. It's a nominalized adjective, derived from the adjective verdächtig (suspicious).

In a legal context, a Verdächtiger is someone against whom there is initial suspicion based on facts. This is a preliminary stage before being formally accused (Beschuldigter) or indicted (Angeklagter).

• Masculine: der Verdächtige (male suspect)
• Feminine: die Verdächtige (female suspect)
• Plural: die Verdächtigen (suspects, mixed or all genders)

⚠️ Important: The term does not imply guilt!

🧐 Grammar of "der Verdächtige" in Detail

"Der Verdächtige" is a nominalized adjective and is declined like an adjective. The declension depends on whether an article word (definite, indefinite) or no article precedes it.

Masculine Declension (Singular)

This follows the standard patterns for adjective declension when used as a noun.

Plural Declension (All Genders)

The plural forms are the same for all genders.

Example Sentences

• Die Polizei befragt den Verdächtigen. (The police questions the suspect. - Accusative, weak)
• Ein Verdächtiger wurde am Tatort gesehen. (A suspect was seen at the crime scene. - Nominative, mixed)
• Das Alibi des Verdächtigen wird überprüft. (The suspect's alibi is being checked. - Genitive, weak)
• Die Aussage Verdächtiger war widersprüchlich. (The statement of suspects was contradictory. - Genitive, strong - rare, more common: die Aussage von Verdächtigen)
• Man half dem Verdächtigen nicht. (They didn't help the suspect. - Dative, weak)

💡 Usage and Context

"Der Verdächtige" is primarily used in the context of crime, investigations, and law.

• Legal Context: Standard term in police reports, court proceedings, and news reports about crimes.
• General Usage: Can also be used more generally for someone suspected of having done something unpleasant or wrong (e.g., in the office or among friends), but this is less common and often slightly exaggerated.

Distinction from similar terms:

• Der Beschuldigte: A person against whom formal investigation proceedings have been initiated (one step beyond Verdächtiger).
• Der Angeklagte: A person who has been indicted and is facing trial.
• Der Täter: The perpetrator, whose guilt is proven or who committed the act.
• Der Zeuge: A witness, someone who observed something but is not suspected.

It's important to use the correct form based on gender: der Verdächtige (male), die Verdächtige (female), die Verdächtigen (plural).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

For the article 'der': Think of a classic detective: 'DER Kommissar' (the male police inspector) is often chasing 'einen Mann' (a man), so it's 'der Verdächtige'.

For the meaning: The word contains 'Verdacht' (suspicion). A 'Verdächtiger' is someone under 'VerDACHT'. The '-ige(r)' ending often indicates a person in German (like 'der Heilige' - the male saint).

↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms for Verdächtige

Similar but potentially confusing words:

• Verdacht (der): The noun for suspicion itself, not the person.
• Verdächtig (adjective): The adjective (e.g., "Sein Verhalten war verdächtig." - His behavior was suspicious.).

😄 A Little Joke

Richter: "Haben Sie Komplizen?"
Verdächtiger: "Nein, Herr Richter, ich stehle immer allein. Bei Komplizen gibt es nur Streit bei der Teilung der Beute!"

Translation:
Judge: "Do you have accomplices?"
Suspect: "No, Your Honor, I always steal alone. With accomplices, there's always arguments when dividing the loot!"

📜 Poem about the Suspect

Im Schatten leis, mit schnellem Schritt,
so schleicht er durch die dunkle Mitt'.
Ein Blick zurück, ein Hauch von Furcht,
die Gasse eng, die Nacht durchfurcht.
Man nennt ihn 'der Verdächtige',
sein Schicksal ungewiss und nichtige
erscheint die Spur, doch der Verdacht,
hat ihn bereits ins Zwielicht bracht.

Translation:
Quietly in shadow, with a quick step,
so he creeps through the dark midst.
A glance back, a hint of fear,
the alley narrow, traversed the night clear.
He is called 'the suspect',
his fate uncertain and neglect
the trace appears, but the suspicion,
has already brought him into twilight's mission.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich steh' im Fokus, doch nicht gern im Licht,
man glaubt, ich tat's, doch sicher ist es nicht.
Die Polizei stellt Fragen mir,
bis Klarheit kommt, was bin ich hier?

Translation:
I'm in focus, but not gladly in the light,
they think I did it, but it's not certain, right?
The police ask questions of me,
until clarity comes, what am I, you see?

Solution: Der Verdächtige (The suspect)

🧩 Other Information

Word Formation:

The word "Verdächtige(r)" is an example of nominalization (Substantivierung) of an adjective. It's derived directly from the adjective verdächtig (suspicious).

• ver- (prefix, often intensifying or indicating change)
• Dacht (related to 'denken' (to think), here in the sense of assumption, thought) -> Verdacht (suspicion)
• -ig (adjective suffix) -> verdächtig (suspicious)
• -e(r) (suffix for nominalizing persons, here with adjectival declension ending) -> der Verdächtige (the male suspect)

Interestingly, "verdächtige" can also be a declined adjective modifying a noun, e.g., "der verdächtige Mann" (the suspicious man). As the noun "der Verdächtige", it stands alone.