German word

Straftäter

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʃtʁaːfˌtɛːtɐ/

Meaning

  • masculine nouncriminal

Example

Der Straftäter wurde gestern verhaftet.

The criminal was arrested yesterday.

Illustration for Straftäter (criminal)

More examples

Die Staatsanwaltschaft erhob Anklage gegen den Straftäter wegen Betrugs.

The prosecution charged the criminal with fraud.

Core concept

A person at the center of a criminal case, with the law focusing on the offense committed rather than on a minor rule violation.

Common phrases

  • als Straftäter gelten

    be considered a criminal

  • Anklage gegen den Straftäter

    charge against the criminal

  • vor Gericht stehender Straftäter

    criminal on trial

Similar words

Verurteilter: A person convicted in court and sentenced for the offense.
Täter: The person who carried out the act in question.
Beschuldigter: A person under suspicion of committing a crime.
Krimineller: A person involved in ongoing or repeated criminal activity.

Definition in German

Straftäter ist eine Person, die eine Straftat begangen hat und strafrechtlich verfolgt werden kann.

Word origin

Straftäter combines Straf-, related to Strafe ('penalty'), with Täter ('perpetrator') to identify a perpetrator in criminal law.

Usage tips

  • The masculine noun has the plural form Straftäter, while mutmaßlicher Straftäter marks an allegation rather than an established conviction.

Other meanings

  • perpetratornoun
  • offendernoun

Opposites

  • Unschuldigerinnocent personnoun

Related words

  • Täterperpetratornoun
  • straffreiunpunishedadjective
  • Strafmaßseverity of punishmentnoun

Word lists with this word