die
Anklage
🏛️ What does "die Anklage" mean?
Die Anklage (noun, feminine) primarily refers to the formal accusation of a person for having committed a crime, especially in a legal sense. It's the act of bringing someone to court.
- Legal Context: The charge or indictment brought by the public prosecutor (Staatsanwaltschaft) against an accused person (Beschuldigter/Angeklagter). It initiates the main trial proceedings in court. Example: Die Staatsanwaltschaft erhob Anklage wegen Betrugs. (The public prosecutor's office filed charges for fraud.)
- General Context (less common, but possible): A strong, often public accusation or serious reproach, even outside of legal proceedings. Example: Seine Rede war eine einzige Anklage gegen die Missstände im System. (His speech was one long accusation against the flaws in the system.)
⚠️ Important: In German, the article "die" is almost exclusively used. There are no "der" or "das" variations for this noun.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
📝 Grammar in Detail: Die Anklage
"Anklage" is a feminine noun. It always takes the article "die".
Declension of "die Anklage"
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Anklage |
| Genitive | der | Anklage |
| Dative | der | Anklage |
| Accusative | die | Anklage |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Anklagen |
| Genitive | der | Anklagen |
| Dative | den | Anklagen |
| Accusative | die | Anklagen |
Example Sentences
- Die Anklage wurde vom Gericht zugelassen. (The charge was admitted by the court.)
- Der Inhalt der Anklage war schwerwiegend. (The content of the indictment was serious.)
- Der Angeklagte widersprach der Anklage energisch. (The defendant vigorously contested the charge.)
- Der Richter verlas die Anklage. (The judge read out the indictment.)
- Mehrere Anklagen wurden gegen ihn erhoben. (Several charges were brought against him.)
- Das Gericht musste sich mit vielen Anklagen befassen. (The court had to deal with many indictments.)
🗣️ How to use "die Anklage"?
"Die Anklage" is primarily used in the legal field. Here are some typical phrases:
- Anklage erheben: to press charges, to indict. This is the most common collocation. The public prosecutor (Staatsanwaltschaft) presses charges. (Die Staatsanwaltschaft hat Anklage erhoben. - The prosecutor's office has pressed charges.)
- Unter Anklage stehen: to be under indictment, to be charged. Describes the defendant's situation. (Er steht wegen Diebstahls unter Anklage. - He is charged with theft.)
- Die Anklage zulassen/abweisen: to admit/dismiss the charge. A court's decision. (Das Gericht ließ die Anklage zu. - The court admitted the charge.)
- Die Anklage lautet auf...: The charge is for... Specifies the offense. (Die Anklage lautet auf Körperverletzung. - The charge is for bodily harm.)
In a more general sense, "Anklage" is used less often, usually metaphorically for a strong accusation or criticism:
- Der Film ist eine bewegende Anklage gegen Krieg und Gewalt. (The film is a moving indictment of war and violence.)
- Ihre Worte waren eine scharfe Anklage gegen die Ungerechtigkeit. (Her words were a sharp accusation against the injustice.)
Distinction from similar words:
- Beschuldigung/Vorwurf: Accusation/reproach. More general and often more informal than "Anklage". Can also be an unproven allegation. "Anklage" specifically refers to the formal legal action.
- Klage: Lawsuit, action, complaint. Can also refer to a civil lawsuit (e.g., for damages - Schadensersatzklage), whereas "Anklage" relates to criminal law.
🧠 Mnemonics for "die Anklage"
For the article "die": Remember that an Anklage often involves serious allegations. Like many feminine German nouns ending in "-e", it's die Anklage.
For the meaning: Imagine someone pointing an (at) someone else and making a loud complaint or 'Klage' (-klage) about their actions – that's the formal accusation, die Anklage.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Beschuldigung: Accusation (general term).
- Vorwurf: Accusation, reproach (often with a moral judgment).
- Klage (im Strafrecht): Charge, complaint (often used synonymously in criminal law context, e.g., Privatklage - private prosecution).
- Anzeige: Report (to the police) - reporting a crime, which may lead to an Anklage, but isn't the same thing.
Antonyms (opposites):
- Freispruch: Acquittal (court judgment of not guilty).
- Verteidigung: Defense (legal efforts to refute the charge).
- Einstellung des Verfahrens: Dismissal/discontinuation of proceedings.
- Entlastung: Exoneration, exculpation (evidence proving innocence).
🚨 Note: Don't confuse "Anklage" (criminal charge) with "Klage" in civil law (e.g., Klage auf Schadensersatz - lawsuit for damages).
😄 A Little Joke
DE: Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Warum haben Sie das Auto gestohlen?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Ich musste schnell zur Gerichtsverhandlung wegen meiner letzten Anklage!"
EN: The judge asks the defendant: "Why did you steal the car?"
The defendant replies: "I had to get to the court hearing quickly for my last indictment!"
📜 Poem about the Anklage
DE:
Im Saal wird's still, die Luft ist schwer,
der Staatsanwalt tritt nunmehr her.
Mit ernster Miene, festem Ton,
erhebt er sie, die kennt hier schon
manch Sünder, der gebannt nun lauscht,
wenn Schuld und Tat er ihm anrauscht.
Ein Wort, das Urteil bringen kann,
die Anklage fängt nun an.
EN:
In the courtroom quiet, the air is thick,
The prosecutor steps forward quick.
With a serious face, a steady tone,
He raises it, already known
To many sinners listening, rapt,
As guilt and deed at them are slapped.
A word that judgment can command,
The indictment is now close at hand.
🧩 Little Riddle
DE:
Ich bin ein formeller Vorwurf, oft vor Gericht gehört,
von Staatsanwälten formuliert, selten unerhört.
Ich bringe Menschen vor den Richter, schwer und ernst mein Klang.
Wer eine Straftat wohl beging, hört meinen Gesang.
Was bin ich?
EN:
I am a formal accusation, often heard in court,
Formulated by prosecutors, of a serious sort.
I bring people before the judge, my sound is grave and long.
Whoever might have done wrong, hears my song.
What am I?
Solution: die Anklage (the indictment/charge)
💡 Other Information
Word Composition:
The word "Anklage" is composed of:
- Prefix "an-": Indicates direction towards something/someone.
- Root word "Klage": Expression of sorrow, complaint, or, in a legal sense, asserting a claim.
Together, they form the meaning of a (formal) complaint or accusation directed at (an) a person.
Context: The term is central to German criminal procedure law (Strafprozessordnung - StPO).
Summary: is it der, die or das Anklage?
The noun "Anklage" is feminine, so the correct article is always die Anklage.