German word

Krimi

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈkʁɪmi/

Meaning

  • masculine nounmystery novel

Example

Ich lese gerade einen Krimi.

I'm reading a mystery novel right now.

Illustration for Krimi (mystery novel)

More examples

Im Buchclub diskutierten wir über einen Krimi.

At the book club, we discussed a mystery novel.

Core concept

A trail of clues leading from a crime to its solution.

Common phrases

  • einen Krimi lesen

    read a mystery novel

  • einen Krimi empfehlen

    recommend a mystery novel

  • über einen Krimi diskutieren

    discuss a mystery novel

Similar words

Kriminalroman: A long crime novel focused on the case and its eventual solution.
Detektivroman: A crime novel centered on a detective who reasons through a case.
Polizeikrimi: A crime novel focused on the police investigation and its progress.
Thriller: A novel driven by tension, danger, and growing fear or excitement.

Definition in German

eine fiktive Erzählung über Verbrechen und deren Aufklärung, egal ob als Buch, Film oder Fernsehserie

Word origin

Krimi is a shortened form of German Kriminalroman, with Kriminal- ultimately derived from Latin crimen, meaning crime.

Usage tips

  • Despite its English translation, Krimi also commonly denotes a crime film or television series, not only a novel.

Other meanings

  • crime filmnoun
  • crime dramanoun

Opposites

  • Sachbuchnonfiction booknoun

Related words

  • Krimilesermystery novel readernoun
  • Krimiautormystery novelistnoun

Word lists with this word