die / der  Beschuldigte

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈʃʊldɪɡtə/

⚖️ What does Beschuldigte(r) mean?

The word Beschuldigte is a nominalized past participle of the verb beschuldigen (to accuse, to charge). It refers to a person who is under investigation in criminal proceedings because they are suspected of having committed a criminal offense. It's a formal term used in the legal system.

The gender distinction based on the article is important:

• der Beschuldigte: Refers to a male person under investigation. It can sometimes be used generically for a person of unknown gender, although gender-neutral language is increasingly preferred.
• die Beschuldigte: Refers to a female person under investigation.
• die Beschuldigten (plural): Refers to multiple people (male, female, diverse) under investigation.

🚨 Note: A Beschuldigter (accused person / suspect under investigation) is not yet an Angeklagter (defendant). The transition occurs when the public prosecutor's office officially files charges (Anklageerhebung).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der/Die Beschuldigte

Beschuldigte(r) is a nominalized adjective (past participle II) and is declined accordingly. The declension depends on whether an article (definite/indefinite) or no article precedes it (weak, mixed, strong declension).

Declension "der Beschuldigte" (masculine)

Declension "die Beschuldigte" (feminine)

Declension "die Beschuldigten" (plural)

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der Beschuldigte schwieg während der gesamten Vernehmung.
   (The accused (male) remained silent during the entire interrogation.)
2. Die Polizei informierte die Beschuldigte über ihre Rechte.
   (The police informed the accused (female) about her rights.)
3. Das Gericht hörte die Aussagen der Beschuldigten an.
   (The court listened to the statements of the accused (plural).)
4. Ein Anwalt vertritt den Beschuldigten.
   (A lawyer represents the accused (male).)

🗣️ Usage in Context

Beschuldigte(r) is a specific term from German criminal procedure law.

• Context: Primarily used in legal and police settings, as well as in media reporting on these topics.
• Distinction:
  • Verdächtige(r): (Suspect) A person against whom there is initial suspicion (an even lower threshold than Beschuldigte(r)).
  • Beschuldigte(r): (Accused / Suspect under investigation) A person who is officially under investigation (proceedings have been initiated).
  • Angeklagte(r): (Defendant) A Beschuldigte(r) against whom the public prosecutor has filed charges and the main trial has been opened.
  • Verurteilte(r): (Convicted person) A person whose guilt has been established by a court judgment.
• Formality: The term is formal and less common in everyday language, unless discussing a specific criminal case.

🧠 Mnemonics for Beschuldigte(r)

Remembering the article: Think of the person: Der Mann (the man) is der Beschuldigte, die Frau (the woman) is die Beschuldigte. It logically follows the biological gender.

Remembering the meaning: Be-schuldig-te. The word contains "Schuld" (guilt/debt). It's the person who is (initially) blamed or accused (beschuldigt) of something.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words:

• Schuldige(r): (Guilty person) Someone who actually bears the guilt (often only certain after conviction). Beschuldigte(r) does not imply this yet.
• Beschuldiger / Beschuldigerin: (Accuser) The person who accuses someone (rarely used, usually Kläger/Ankläger).

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Richter den Beschuldigten: "Warum haben Sie die Parkuhr aufgebrochen?"
Antwortet der Beschuldigte: "Herr Richter, auf der Uhr stand eindeutig 'Einwurf für 2 Stunden'. Da dachte ich, so viel Geld muss doch da drin sein!"

Translation:
The judge asks the accused: "Why did you break open the parking meter?"
The accused replies: "Your Honor, the meter clearly said 'Insert coins for 2 hours'. I figured there must be a lot of money in there!"

📜 Poem about the Accused

Im Raum der ernsten Mienen,
Sitzt er, der Beschuldigte.
Die Worte schwer, die Luft beklommen,
Sein Schicksal wird hier angenommen.

War's er? War's nicht? Die Frage drängt,
Ein Netz aus Zweifeln ihn umfängt.
Der Mann, die Frau, im Blick gesucht,
Bis Wahrheit oder Schuld verbucht.

Translation:
In the room of serious faces,
Sits he, the accused.
The words are heavy, the air oppressive,
His fate is here assessed, successive.

Was it him? Was it not? The question presses,
A web of doubt him encompasses.
The man, the woman, sought in sight,
Until truth or guilt comes to light.

❓ Riddle

Ich stehe vor Gericht, doch bin noch nicht verurteilt.
Man sagt, ich hätt' gefehlt, doch ist's noch nicht beurteilt.
Mal bin ich 'er', mal bin ich 'sie', je nach Person.
Im Strafprozess kennst du mich schon.

Wer bin ich? (Lösung: Der / Die Beschuldigte)

Translation:
I stand before the court, but am not yet convicted.
They say I erred, but it's not yet verdict-icted.
Sometimes I'm 'he', sometimes I'm 'she', depending on the person you see.
In criminal proceedings, you already know me.

Who am I? (Answer: The accused - der/die Beschuldigte)

💡 Other Information

Word Formation: The word Beschuldigte(r) is a classic example of nominalization (Substantivierung) in German. It is derived directly from the past participle (Partizip II) of the verb beschuldigen (to accuse). This pattern is common for terms denoting people, especially in legal or administrative contexts (e.g., der/die Angestellte - employee, der/die Verletzte - injured person, der/die Gefangene - prisoner).

Rights: In Germany, accused persons (Beschuldigte) have extensive rights, such as the right to remain silent (Recht zu schweigen), the right to a lawyer (Recht auf einen Anwalt) (including a public defender - Pflichtverteidiger - under certain circumstances), and the right to inspect the case files (Recht auf Akteneinsicht) (usually via their lawyer).