German word

Strafanzeige

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʃtʁaːfantsaɪ̯gə/

Meaning

  • feminine nounpolice report

Example

Ich habe bei der Polizei eine Strafanzeige gestellt.

I filed a report with the police.

Illustration for Strafanzeige (police report)

More examples

Nach dem Betrug reichte die Familie eine Strafanzeige ein.

After the fraud, the family filed a criminal complaint.

Core concept

A person hands authorities an official account of suspected criminal conduct, marked for possible investigative action.

Common phrases

  • bei der Polizei eine Strafanzeige erstatten

    file a criminal complaint with the police

  • eine Strafanzeige wegen Betrugs

    a criminal complaint for fraud

  • eine Strafanzeige zurückziehen

    withdraw a criminal complaint

Similar words

Anzeige: A formal report to authorities about an incident or harm, made for the record.
Strafantrag: A formal request by the victim for prosecution of a specific offense.
Ermittlungsverfahren: A series of official investigative proceedings conducted by police or prosecutors.
Anklage: The prosecutor's formal act of bringing a suspect before a court for trial.

Definition in German

Formelle Meldung bei Polizei oder Staatsanwaltschaft, durch die eine Straftat zur Kenntnis gebracht und Ermittlungen angestoßen werden.

Word origin

The compound joins Strafe, an inherited Germanic word for punishment, and Anzeige, formed from anzeigen, meaning to notify or report.

Usage tips

  • Strafanzeige names the report to authorities, whereas Strafantrag is a separate formal request for prosecution required for some offenses.

Other meanings

  • criminal complaintnoun

Opposites

  • Zurücknahmewithdrawalnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word