die
Jugendstrafe
🏛️ What does 'die Jugendstrafe' mean?
Die Jugendstrafe is a specific type of custodial sentence (Freiheitsstrafe) in German law that can be imposed on juveniles (Jugendliche, aged 14 to under 18) and young adults (Heranwachsende, aged 18 to under 21).
It is imposed under the Juvenile Justice Act (Jugendgerichtsgesetz - JGG) if educational measures (Erziehungsmaßregeln) or disciplinary measures (Zuchtmittel) are insufficient and if required by an overall assessment of the offender's personality and the offence.
The primary goal is educational (erzieherisch). The duration ranges from six months to five years, exceptionally up to ten years for very serious crimes.
The word is always feminine: die Jugendstrafe. There are no other articles.
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 & Declension of Jugendstrafe
The word 'Jugendstrafe' is a feminine noun. The definite article is always 'die'.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Jugendstrafe |
| Genitive | der | Jugendstrafe |
| Dative | der | Jugendstrafe |
| Accusative | die | Jugendstrafe |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Jugendstrafen |
| Genitive | der | Jugendstrafen |
| Dative | den | Jugendstrafen |
| Accusative | die | Jugendstrafen |
Example Sentences
- Der Richter verhängte eine Jugendstrafe von zwei Jahren.
(The judge imposed a youth sentence of two years.) - Die Dauer der Jugendstrafe hängt von der Schwere der Tat ab.
(The duration of the youth sentence depends on the severity of the crime.) - Mehrere Jugendstrafen wurden zur Bewährung ausgesetzt.
(Several youth sentences were suspended on probation.)
🗣️ Context and Usage
The term 'Jugendstrafe' is used specifically within the legal context of German juvenile criminal law (Jugendstrafrecht).
- Distinction: It's important to distinguish die Jugendstrafe from Erziehungsmaßregeln (educational measures, e.g., instructions) and Zuchtmittel (disciplinary measures, e.g., youth detention, warnings), which are also provided for in the JGG but are not criminal penalties in the stricter sense. It's also distinct from the adult prison sentence (Freiheitsstrafe).
- Goal: The focus is on the educational aspect (Erziehungsgedanke), not primarily on retribution (Sühne) as in adult criminal law.
- Application: It is applied for more serious offences or in cases of repeated delinquency by juveniles/young adults when other measures are deemed insufficient.
🧠 Mnemonics for Jugendstrafe
Article 'die': Think of 'punishment' or 'penalty' – die Strafe is feminine in German. So, the specific penalty for youth, die Jugendstrafe, is also feminine. Imagine Lady Justice imposing the penalty for youth.
Meaning: Break it down: Jugend (youth) + Strafe (penalty/punishment) = A penalty specifically designed for young people under juvenile law.
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Jugendhaft (colloquial, often used synonymously for the custodial aspect)
- Freiheitsentzug nach JGG (deprivation of liberty according to JGG)
- Sanktion nach Jugendstrafrecht (sanction under juvenile law)
Note: Erziehungsmaßregeln and Zuchtmittel are not direct synonyms but alternative sanctions within the JGG.
Antonyms (Opposites):
- Freispruch (acquittal)
- Einstellung des Verfahrens (dismissal/discontinuation of proceedings)
- Erwachsenenstrafe / Freiheitsstrafe (adult penalty / prison sentence under the general Criminal Code - StGB)
- Bewährung (probation, suspension of the sentence)
- Geldstrafe (fine - rare and structured differently in juvenile law)
Risk of Confusion:
- Jugendarrest: A disciplinary measure (Zuchtmittel), shorter than Jugendstrafe (max. 4 weeks).
- Erziehungsmaßregel: Purely educational measure (e.g., supervision order), not a punishment in the strict sense.
😄 A Little Joke
Warum hat der junge Angeklagte versucht, den Richter mit Süßigkeiten zu bestechen?
Er dachte, bei einer Jugendstrafe käme er vielleicht mit Gummibärchen davon!
(Why did the young defendant try to bribe the judge with sweets?
He thought that for a youth penalty (Jugendstrafe), he might get away with gummy bears!)
✒️ Poem about Jugendstrafe
Ein falscher Schritt, ein Weg zu weit,
(A wrong step, a path too far,)
die Jugend fehlgeleitet.
(Youth misguided.)
Das Urteil fällt, die Zeit verrinnt,
(The verdict falls, time passes,)
die Jugendstrafe nun beginnt.
(The youth penalty now begins.)
Nicht nur zur Sühne ist sie da,
(Not only for atonement is it there,)
auch Chance, das ist sonnenklar.
(Also a chance, that's crystal clear.)
Ein neuer Pfad, ein Neubeginn,
(A new path, a new beginning,)
liegt tief im Erziehungs-Sinn.
(Lies deep within the educational purpose.)
❓ Riddle
Ich bin feminin und im Gesetz verankert,
(I am feminine and anchored in law,)
für junge Leute, die vom rechten Weg geschwankert.
(For young people who have strayed from the right path.)
Bin länger als Arrest, soll erzieherisch sein,
(I am longer than detention, meant to be educational,)
im JGG steh ich – wer bin ich, sag’s fein?
(I'm in the JGG – who am I, tell me clearly?)
Solution: Die Jugendstrafe
ℹ️ Other Information
Word Composition:
The word 'Jugendstrafe' is a compound noun, formed from:
- die Jugend: (the youth) Refers to the age group of the individuals affected.
- die Strafe: (the punishment/penalty) Denotes the sanction for unlawful behaviour.
Legal Framework:
Die Jugendstrafe is primarily regulated in the Jugendgerichtsgesetz (JGG) (Juvenile Justice Act), specifically in Sections 17 ff.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Jugendstrafe?
The noun Jugendstrafe is feminine. Therefore, the correct article is always die Jugendstrafe.