German word

Kriminelle

Pronunciation

IPA/kʁimiˈnɛlə/

Meaning

  • noun (m./f.)criminal

Example

Ein Krimineller sitzt im Gefängnis.

A criminal is in prison.

Illustration for Kriminelle (criminal)

More examples

Die Polizei jagt Kriminelle im Stadtzentrum.

The police are chasing criminals in the city center.

Core concept

A person in a courtroom marked as the offender, with the same label also fitting someone behind prison bars.

Common phrases

  • organisierte Kriminelle

    organized criminals

  • Kriminelle festnehmen

    arrest criminals

  • flüchtige Kriminelle

    fugitive criminals

Similar words

Täter: The person who actually committed a criminal act.
Tatverdächtiger: A person suspected by the authorities of committing a crime.
Angeklagter: A person formally accused of a crime in court.
Verurteilter: A person found guilty of a crime by a court.

Definition in German

Person, die nach dem Gesetz als Täter einer Straftat gilt.

Word origin

German formed this noun from the adjective 'kriminell', borrowed through French 'criminel' from Latin 'criminalis', related to 'crimen' for crime.

Usage tips

  • 'Kriminelle' can be feminine singular or plural; the masculine singular form is 'Krimineller', as in 'ein Krimineller'.

Other meanings

  • culpritnoun

Opposites

  • Unschuldigeinnocent peoplenoun

Related words

Word lists with this word