die
Strafanzeige
What exactly is a Strafanzeige? ⚖️
Die Strafanzeige (feminine, plural: die Strafanzeigen) is a notification to a law enforcement agency (like the Polizei or Staatsanwaltschaft - public prosecutor's office) informing them about a situation that might constitute a criminal offense (Straftat). It triggers the authorities to potentially start an investigation (this is called the Offizialprinzip - principle of mandatory prosecution). Anyone can file a Strafanzeige, even if they are not the victim of the crime themselves.
⚠️ Important: A Strafanzeige must be distinguished from a Strafantrag. A Strafantrag is an additional requirement for certain offenses (known as Antragsdelikte, e.g., insult - Beleidigung) for the crime to be prosecuted, and typically only the victim (der/die Verletzte) can file it.
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 Strafanzeige
The noun „Strafanzeige“ is feminine. The article is die.
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Strafanzeige | eine Strafanzeige |
| Genitive | der Strafanzeige | einer Strafanzeige |
| Dative | der Strafanzeige | einer Strafanzeige |
| Accusative | die Strafanzeige | eine Strafanzeige |
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Strafanzeigen | - Strafanzeigen |
| Genitive | der Strafanzeigen | - Strafanzeigen |
| Dative | den Strafanzeigen | - Strafanzeigen |
| Accusative | die Strafanzeigen | - Strafanzeigen |
Example Sentences
- Der Zeuge erstattete umgehend eine Strafanzeige bei der Polizei. (The witness immediately filed a criminal complaint with the police.)
- Die Staatsanwaltschaft prüft nun die eingegangene Strafanzeige. (The public prosecutor's office is now examining the received criminal complaint.)
- Aufgrund mehrerer Strafanzeigen wurde ein Ermittlungsverfahren eingeleitet. (An investigation was initiated based on several criminal complaints.)
- Der Inhalt der Strafanzeige war sehr detailliert. (The content of the criminal complaint was very detailed.)
Usage in Context 📝
The term Strafanzeige is primarily used in legal and official contexts.
- Eine Strafanzeige erstatten/stellen: This is the most common phrase when someone reports an incident. It means 'to file/press a criminal complaint'.
- Gegen jemanden Strafanzeige erstatten: Describes filing a complaint against a specific person.
- Eine Strafanzeige zurückziehen: 'To withdraw a criminal complaint'. This is usually not legally possible because authorities must investigate potential crimes ex officio (Offizialprinzip). However, one can withdraw a Strafantrag.
- Anonyme Strafanzeige: An anonymous criminal complaint, where the person filing it wishes to remain unknown.
In everyday language, people sometimes just say "Anzeige" when it's clear a Strafanzeige is meant. However, using the full term is more precise to avoid confusion (e.g., with a newspaper advertisement - Zeitungsanzeige).
Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic: Many German nouns ending in "-e" are feminine, including 'die Anzeige' (report, notice). A 'Strafanzeige' is a specific type of 'Anzeige'. So: die Anzeige -> die Strafanzeige.
Meaning Mnemonic: Think of the two parts: Strafe (punishment) + Anzeige (report/notice). You 'report' (anzeigen) a situation that should potentially lead to 'punishment' (Strafe). 👮♀️📜
Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Anzeige (in the criminal law sense): Often used synonymously when the context is clear. (Report, complaint)
- Meldung (einer Straftat): A more general term for reporting something to authorities. (Notification of a crime)
- Anschuldigung (schriftlich): Can be similar, but often less formal than a Strafanzeige. (Written accusation)
Antonyms (Opposites) / Related Terms
- Strafantrag: As explained above, a separate requirement for specific offenses. (Formal request for prosecution)
- Einstellung des Verfahrens: The outcome if investigations following a Strafanzeige do not lead to charges. (Discontinuation of proceedings)
- Freispruch: Verdict after a trial declaring innocence. (Acquittal)
- Strafbefehl / Anklage: Possible consequences of a Strafanzeige if the prosecutor finds sufficient evidence. (Penalty order / Indictment)
A Little Chuckle 😄
Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Warum haben Sie denn die Parkuhr aufgebrochen?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Herr Richter, da stand drauf 'Einwurf bis zu 2 Stunden'. Ich hatte aber nur 10 Minuten Zeit!"
Richter: "Und das rechtfertigt eine Strafanzeige wegen Sachbeschädigung?"
Angeklagter: "Ich dachte, ich beschleunige den Vorgang!"
--- Translation ---
The judge asks the defendant: "Why did you break open the parking meter?"
The defendant replies: "Your Honor, it said 'Insert coins for up to 2 hours'. But I only had 10 minutes!"
Judge: "And that justifies a criminal complaint for property damage?"
Defendant: "I thought I was speeding up the process!"
Poem about the Complaint
Ein Unrecht ist gescheh'n, ganz klar,
man fühlt sich schlecht, es ist furchtbar.
Zur Wache geht man, Schritt für Schritt,
und bringt den Sachverhalt gleich mit.
Man schildert alles ganz genau,
für Polizei und Staatsanwalt, die schlaue.
Die Strafanzeige ist gemacht,
nun wird der Fall ans Licht gebracht.
--- Translation ---
An injustice happened, quite clear,
one feels bad, it is quite drear.
To the station one goes, step by step,
bringing the facts within one's kep'.
Describing everything precisely so,
for police and prosecutor, smart, you know.
The criminal complaint now is made,
the case to light will not evade.
Little Riddle
Ich bin ein Schreiben, wichtig, schwer,
berichte, was nicht richtig wär'.
Ich lande bei Polizei und Recht,
und mache manchem Täter schlecht.
Ich starte oft den Apparat,
der prüft auf eine Missetat.
Was bin ich?
--- Translation & Clues ---
I am a document, important, weighty,
reporting what wasn't right, lately.
I end up with police and law,
making some perpetrators feel raw.
I often start the apparatus,
that checks for a misdeed's status.
What am I?
(Solution: die Strafanzeige)
Trivia & Word Structure
Word Composition
The word "Strafanzeige" is a compound noun (Kompositum), composed of:
- Strafe (die): Refers to the legal consequence of a criminal act (punishment, penalty).
- Anzeige (die): Refers to the notification or report of a situation.
Together, the meaning is: A report (Anzeige) that aims at potential punishment (Strafe) or reports a criminally relevant event.
Legal Significance
Die Strafanzeige is a central instrument of criminal prosecution in Germany. It allows anyone to report potential crimes and triggers an examination by the public prosecutor's office (Legalitätsprinzip - principle of legality, obliging prosecution).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Strafanzeige?
The word "Strafanzeige" is feminine. The correct article is die. Remember: die Anzeige (the report) -> die Strafanzeige (the criminal complaint).
