die /
der
Geschädigte
💡 What does 'der/die Geschädigte' mean?
The word Geschädigte is a nominalized past participle of the verb schädigen (to damage, to harm). It refers to a person who has suffered damage or injury (physical, material, or immaterial). It uses different articles depending on the gender of the person:
- der Geschädigte: Refers to a male person who has suffered damage. (the injured/damaged man/person)
- die Geschädigte: Refers to a female person who has suffered damage. (the injured/damaged woman/person)
The plural form for all genders is die Geschädigten (the injured/damaged parties/people).
⚠️ It's a nominalization of an adjective (specifically, a past participle), so it follows adjective declension rules after the definite article (or zero article, indefinite article, etc.).
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 and Declension of Geschädigte(r)
Since 'Geschädigte' is a nominalized participle, it is declined like an adjective. Here are the declension tables for the masculine (der Geschädigte) and feminine (die Geschädigte) forms following the definite article.
Masculine Form (der Geschädigte - the injured/damaged man)
| Case | Definite Article Form |
|---|---|
| Nominative | der Geschädigte |
| Genitive | des Geschädigten |
| Dative | dem Geschädigten |
| Accusative | den Geschädigten |
Feminine Form (die Geschädigte - the injured/damaged woman)
| Case | Definite Article Form |
|---|---|
| Nominative | die Geschädigte |
| Genitive | der Geschädigten |
| Dative | der Geschädigten |
| Accusative | die Geschädigte |
Plural (for all genders - the injured/damaged people)
| Case | Definite Article Form |
|---|---|
| Nominative | die Geschädigten |
| Genitive | der Geschädigten |
| Dative | den Geschädigten |
| Accusative | die Geschädigten |
Example Sentences
- Der Geschädigte meldete den Unfall sofort der Polizei.
(The injured party (male) reported the accident to the police immediately.) - Die Versicherung entschädigte die Geschädigte für ihren Verlust.
(The insurance company compensated the injured party (female) for her loss.) - Das Gericht hörte die Aussagen der Geschädigten an.
(The court listened to the statements of the injured parties.) - Der Anwalt vertritt den Geschädigten in diesem Fall.
(The lawyer represents the injured party (male) in this case.)
🗣️ Usage in Context
The term Geschädigte(r) is predominantly used in formal contexts, especially in the legal field (civil law, criminal law, insurance law) and in reports about accidents or disasters.
- Law & Insurance: Here, the term is central to describing the person making a claim (e.g., for damages). Example: Der Geschädigte fordert Schmerzensgeld. (The injured party demands compensation for pain and suffering.)
- Accident Reports: In news or police reports, victims of accidents are often referred to as Geschädigte. Example: Die Geschädigten wurden ins Krankenhaus gebracht. (The injured parties were taken to the hospital.)
- Everyday Language: In everyday conversation, people are more likely to use Opfer (victim) or Verletzte(r) (injured person), although Geschädigte(r) can be more precise when referring to material damages.
Distinction from Opfer (victim): While Opfer often carries a stronger emotional connotation and can refer to suffering or violence, Geschädigte(r) is more neutral and refers specifically to the existence of damage.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
For the Articles: Remember it refers to a person. If the person is male, use 'der'; if female, use 'die'. Just like 'der Mann' (the man) and 'die Frau' (the woman).
For the Meaning: A GeSCHÄDIGter has suffered SCHADen (damage). The word itself contains the core "Schaden". Think of someone who got 'shaded' or harmed by an event.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Opfer (das): (Victim) Often used synonymously, but can be more emotionally charged or refer specifically to victims of crime.
- Verletzte(r) (der/die): (Injured person) Refers specifically to physical injuries.
- Betroffene(r) (der/die): (Affected person) More general term for someone affected by an event, not necessarily damaged.
- Anspruchsteller(in) (der/die): (Claimant) Legal term for someone making a claim (often an injured party).
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- Schädiger(in) (der/die): (Damager, person causing harm) The person who caused the damage.
- Verursacher(in) (der/die): (Causator, originator) Someone who caused something (not necessarily damage).
- Täter(in) (der/die): (Perpetrator) Person who committed a crime (often the Schädiger in a criminal context).
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der Richter den Geschädigten: "Sie wurden also von einem Auto angefahren. Können Sie den Fahrer beschreiben?"
Antwortet der Geschädigte: "Nein, Herr Richter, dazu war er leider viel zu schnell!"
Translation:
The judge asks the injured party: "So you were hit by a car. Can you describe the driver?"
The injured party replies: "No, Your Honor, unfortunately, he was going way too fast for that!"
📜 Poem about the Geschädigte(r)
Ein Knall, ein Schreck, ein jäher Schmerz,
Zurück bleibt oft ein wundes Herz.
Ob Blech verbogen, Glied verstaucht,
Der Zustand "geschädigt" ist nun aufgetaucht.
Der Mann, er ist der Geschädigte,
Die Frau, sie ist die Geschädigte,
Sie fordern Recht, ihr gutes Recht,
Nach Unfall, Schock und Ungemach, ganz schlicht.
Translation:
A bang, a shock, a sudden pain,
Often a wounded heart remains.
Whether metal bent, or limb is sprained,
The state "damaged" is now attained.
The man, he is der Geschädigte,
The woman, she is die Geschädigte,
They demand justice, their rightful due,
After accident, shock, adversity, simply true.
🧩 Who am I? A Riddle
Ich habe Schaden genommen, bin aber kein kaputtes Ding.
Im Recht und bei Versicherungen man oft von mir singt.
Mal bin ich männlich, mal weiblich, das verrät mein Artikel klar,
Wer bin ich, der durch ein Ereignis nicht mehr unversehrt war?
Translation:
I have taken damage, but I'm not a broken thing.
In law and insurance, they often speak of me.
Sometimes I'm male, sometimes female, my article makes it clear,
Who am I, who after an event was no longer unharmed?
Solution: der/die Geschädigte (the injured/damaged party)
🌐 Other Information
Word Formation:
The word "Geschädigte(r)" is an example of nominalization (Substantivierung in German). It is derived from the past participle (Partizip II) of the verb schädigen (to damage):
- schädigen (verb) → geschädigt (past participle) → der/die Geschädigte (noun)
This type of word formation is very common in German, especially with participles and adjectives, to denote people or things possessing a certain characteristic (e.g., der Angestellte - the employee, die Bekannte - the acquaintance (female), das Gebrauchte - the used item).
📝 Summary: is it der or die Geschädigte?
The word 'Geschädigte' is a nominalized participle referring to a person who has suffered damage or harm. Use 'der Geschädigte' for a male person and 'die Geschädigte' for a female person. The plural form is 'die Geschädigten'.