die
Bewährungsstrafe
📜 What exactly is a Bewährungsstrafe?
Die Bewährungsstrafe (often officially called Strafaussetzung zur Bewährung) is a type of sentence in the German legal system. It means that a prison sentence that has been imposed (up to a certain maximum duration, usually two years) is not carried out immediately. Instead, the convicted person is given a probationary period (Bewährungszeit).
During this period, they must comply with certain conditions (Auflagen), such as reporting regularly to a probation officer (Bewährungshelfer), paying a fine, or making amends for the damage caused, and must not commit any new criminal offences (Straftaten).
If the convicted person proves themselves (sich bewährt) during the probationary period, the original prison sentence is remitted. However, if they violate the conditions or commit another offence, the probation can be revoked (widerrufen), and they will have to serve the prison sentence after all.
It's always die Bewährungsstrafe (feminine), because the gender comes from the base word die Strafe (the punishment/sentence).
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 Bewährungsstrafe
The word „Bewährungsstrafe“ is a feminine noun. The article is always die.
| Case | Article | Noun | (English Equivalent) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Bewährungsstrafe | (the probationary sentence) |
| Genitive | der | Bewährungsstrafe | (of the probationary sentence) |
| Dative | der | Bewährungsstrafe | (to/for the probationary sentence) |
| Accusative | die | Bewährungsstrafe | (the probationary sentence) |
| Case | Article | Noun | (English Equivalent) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Bewährungsstrafen | (the probationary sentences) |
| Genitive | der | Bewährungsstrafen | (of the probationary sentences) |
| Dative | den | Bewährungsstrafen | (to/for the probationary sentences) |
| Accusative | die | Bewährungsstrafen | (the probationary sentences) |
📝 Example Sentences
- Der Angeklagte erhielt eine Bewährungsstrafe von einem Jahr.
(The defendant received a one-year suspended sentence/probation.) - Die Bedingungen der Bewährungsstrafe waren streng.
(The conditions of the probation were strict.) - Er muss sich während der Bewährungsstrafe gut führen.
(He must behave well during the probationary period.) - Verstößt er gegen die Auflagen, wird die Bewährungsstrafe widerrufen.
(If he violates the conditions, the probation will be revoked.)
💡 Usage and Context
The term Bewährungsstrafe is used almost exclusively in a legal context, particularly in criminal law (Strafrecht).
- Typical Situation: Court verdicts (Gerichtsurteile), legal discussions, news reports about criminal proceedings.
- Purpose: Describes a specific type of sanction that gives the convicted person a chance to avoid imprisonment by proving themselves trustworthy over a set period. In English, this is often translated as a suspended sentence or probation. Suspended sentence emphasizes that the prison sentence exists but isn't executed initially, while probation highlights the period of supervision and conditions.
- Distinction: A Bewährungsstrafe is not an independent type of penalty like a fine (Geldstrafe) or imprisonment (Freiheitsstrafe), but rather the suspension of the execution of a prison sentence. It must be clearly distinguished from a Freiheitsstrafe that is actually served.
- Colloquial Use: Sometimes shortened to „Er hat Bewährung bekommen“ (He got probation).
⚠️ Don't confuse it with Bewährungsprobe in a general sense (a trial period), although the meaning is related.
🧠 Mnemonics for Bewährungsstrafe
Article Mnemonic: Remember the base word: It's die Strafe (the punishment/sentence). Therefore, it's also die Bewährungsstrafe.
Meaning Mnemonic: Think of 'bewähren' as 'be wary and wear' your best behavior. It's a 'Strafe' (punishment) where you must 'be wary and wear' good conduct to prove yourself and avoid jail.
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
Antonyms (Opposites):
- Unbedingte Freiheitsstrafe: (Unconditional prison sentence) - A prison sentence that must be served without probation.
- Haftstrafe (ohne Aussetzung): (Custodial sentence without suspension) - Synonym for unconditional prison sentence.
- Vollzugsstrafe: (Executed sentence) - A sentence that is carried out.
⚠️ Similar but Different Terms:
- Geldstrafe: (Fine) - A purely financial penalty.
- Freispruch: (Acquittal) - Finding of innocence or unprovable guilt.
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Haben Sie etwas zu Ihrer Verteidigung zu sagen?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Ja, Herr Richter, meine letzte Bewährungsstrafe habe ich doch auch erfolgreich hinter mich gebracht!"
Translation:
The judge asks the defendant: "Do you have anything to say in your defence?"
The defendant replies: "Yes, Your Honour, I successfully completed my last probationary sentence too!"
(Please take this with a pinch of salt!) 😉
✍️ Poem about Probation
Das Urteil fällt, ein schwerer Klang,
Doch Hoffnung schwingt im Richtersang.
Die Gitter bleiben vorerst fern,
Man gibt dir Zeit, man sieht dich gern.
Die Bewährungsstrafe, eine Frist,
In der du zeigst, wer du nun bist.
Ein graden Weg, kein Fehlertritt,
Sonst holt die alte Schuld dich mit.
Ein zweiter Anlauf, Chance pur,
Auf Freiheit hofft die Kreatur.
Bewähre dich in dieser Zeit,
Dann ist der Weg zur Freiheit breit.
Translation:
The verdict falls, a heavy sound,
But hope within the judge's song is found.
The bars remain distant for now,
Time is granted, they watch you somehow.
The probationary sentence, a span,
In which you show the new-made man.
A straight path forward, no misstep allowed,
Or old guilt pulls you back to the crowd.
A second start, a chance so pure,
For freedom hopes the creature.
Prove yourself within this phase,
Then freedom's path lies broad ablaze.
❓ Little Riddle
Ich bin eine Strafe, doch ins Gefängnis musst du nicht gleich gehen.
Du musst dich gut führen und Regeln verstehen.
Verstößt du dagegen, ist die Freiheit dahin,
Welche juristische Wendung habe ich im Sinn?
Translation:
I am a punishment, but you don't go straight to jail.
You must behave well and understand the rules without fail.
If you violate them, freedom is gone,
Which legal term am I focusing on?
Solution: Die Bewährungsstrafe (The probationary sentence / suspended sentence)
🧩 Other Information
Word Composition:
The word "Bewährungsstrafe" is a compound noun (Kompositum), composed of:
- Die Bewährung: Derived from the verb "sich bewähren" (to prove oneself, to stand the test). Here as a nominalization, possibly involving the genitive singular (der Bewährung) or a linking element (-ungs-).
- Die Strafe: (The punishment, sentence, penalty).
So, literally, a "punishment of proving oneself" or a "punishment during which one must prove oneself".
Legal Significance:
The option of suspending a sentence on probation (Strafaussetzung zur Bewährung) is an important tool in German criminal law (regulated in §§ 56 ff. StGB - German Criminal Code). It aims to promote rehabilitation (Resozialisierung), especially for first-time offenders or those with a positive social prognosis (günstige Sozialprognose), and to avoid the negative effects of imprisonment (stigmatization, criminogenic effects).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Bewährungsstrafe?
The word "Bewährungsstrafe" is feminine. The correct article is always die: die Bewährungsstrafe (nominative/accusative singular), der Bewährungsstrafe (genitive/dative singular), die Bewährungsstrafen (plural).