die
Kripo
🕵️♀️ What exactly is 'die Kripo'?
The word die Kripo is a common German abbreviation for die Kriminalpolizei. It refers to the criminal investigation department or detective branch of the police force, which deals with investigating and solving crimes, especially more serious ones. Unlike the uniformed police (Schutzpolizei), Kripo officers usually work in plain clothes.
It is a feminine noun, so the article is always die. There are no other articles or meanings associated with this word.
🚨 Important: Although it's an abbreviation, 'Kripo' is very frequently used in everyday German.
📊 Grammar and Declension of 'die Kripo'
The word "Kripo" is a feminine noun. It is primarily used in the singular. The plural ("die Kripos") is rare and usually refers to different Kripo departments or units.
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Kripo |
| Genitive | der | Kripo |
| Dative | der | Kripo |
| Accusative | die | Kripo |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Kripos |
| Genitive | der | Kripos |
| Dative | den | Kripos |
| Accusative | die | Kripos |
Example Sentences 📝
- Die Kripo ermittelt in dem Fall. (The Kripo is investigating the case.)
- Der Zeuge machte seine Aussage bei der Kripo. (The witness gave his statement to the Kripo.)
- Der Chef der Kripo gab eine Pressekonferenz. (The head of the Kripo gave a press conference.)
- Sie arbeitet bei der Kripo in Berlin. (She works for the Kripo in Berlin.)
🗣️ Everyday Usage
'Kripo' is frequently used in both informal and formal contexts when talking about the criminal investigation police. It is a widely understood and established abbreviation.
- Typical contexts: News reports about crimes, crime fiction (movies, books), conversations about police investigations.
- Distinction: The Kripo is part of the police force (Polizei), but not the entire force. The Schutzpolizei ('Schupo', usually uniformed) handles general public order duties and initial responses at crime scenes. The Kripo then takes over investigations for more complex or serious offenses.
💡 Mnemonics for 'die Kripo'
Article Mnemonic: Remember: Die Polizei (the police) is feminine, and perhaps think of the crime (die Kriminalität) they fight as feminine too. Therefore, die Kripo is also feminine!
Meaning Mnemonic: Kri-Po simply stands for the first syllables of Kriminal-Polizei (Criminal Police).
🔄 Synonyms and Counterparts
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Kriminalpolizei: The full, formal term.
- Kriminalamt: Depending on context, can refer to a higher authority (e.g., Landeskriminalamt LKA - State Criminal Police Office, Bundeskriminalamt BKA - Federal Criminal Police Office) or a department.
- Ermittlungsbehörde: (Investigative authority) A more general term that can also include public prosecutors' offices.
Counterparts / Distinctions
- Schutzpolizei (Schupo): The uniformed police, responsible for patrol duty, traffic accidents, initial measures at crime scenes.
- Ordnungsamt: (Public order office) Authority enforcing public order (e.g., parking violations, noise complaints), not police in the narrow sense.
😂 A Little Joke
Warum nimmt die Kripo immer einen Bleistift mit zum Tatort?
Um Spuren zu zeichnen! ✏️
(Why does the Kripo always take a pencil to the crime scene?
To draw traces/clues! [Note: 'Spuren zeichnen' can mean 'to draw tracks/traces' but also sounds like sketching clues])
📜 Poem about the Kripo
Wo Schatten lauern, tief und dicht,
Und Unrecht bricht das Tageslicht,
Da sucht die Spur, mit scharfem Blick,
Die Kripo, Stück für Stück.
In Zivil, oft ungesehn,
Muss sie Verbrechen nachzugehn.
Mit Logik, Fleiß und viel Geduld,
Trägt sie zur Wahrheit bei, nicht Schuld.
Where shadows lurk, so deep and dense,
And injustice breaks the day's defense,
There seeks the clue, with sharpest gaze,
The Kripo, through crime's maze.
In plain clothes, often unseen,
They must pursue the criminal scene.
With logic, diligence, and patient hold,
Towards the truth, their case unfolds.
❓ Riddle Time
Ich jage Gauner, Tag und Nacht,
Hab selten Uniform an, geb Acht!
Ich löse Fälle, groß und klein,
Wer könnte das nur sein?
(I chase crooks, day and night,
Rarely wear a uniform, pay attention right!
I solve cases, big and small,
Who could it be, standing tall?)
(Answer: die Kripo)
➕ Other Information
- Word Origin: "Kripo" is an abbreviation (Kurzwort) formed from the initial syllables of Kriminalpolizei.
- Organisation: In Germany, the Kriminalpolizei is typically part of the state police forces (Landespolizei). There is also the Bundeskriminalamt (BKA) at the federal level.
- Familiarity: The term is very well-known due to crime shows (Krimis) and news reports.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Kripo?
The word "Kripo" is an abbreviation for "Kriminalpolizei" (Criminal Investigation Department) and is always feminine. Therefore, the correct article is exclusively die.