German word

Unschuld

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʊnʃʊlt/

Meaning

  • feminine nouninnocence

Example

Wir glauben an die Unschuld des Angeklagten.

We believe in the defendant's innocence.

Illustration for Unschuld (innocence)

More examples

Der Beweis stärkte seine Unschuld.

The evidence supported his innocence.

Core concept

A clear record carries no mark of blame or guilt, suggesting moral purity and an untouched, inexperienced state.

Common phrases

  • seine Unschuld beteuern

    maintain his innocence

  • einen Beweis für die Unschuld vorlegen

    present evidence of innocence

  • die Unschuld beweisen

    prove innocence

Similar words

Schuld: Responsibility or blame for an offense or harmful act.
Naivität: Lack of experience or knowledge that leaves dangers and bad intent unnoticed.
Unschuldsvermutung: The legal principle that an accused person is innocent until proven guilty.
Unbescholtenheit: A blameless record and a good reputation in society.

Definition in German

Fehlen von Vorwurf oder Verantwortlichkeit; jemandem wird keine Schuld zugeschrieben.

Word origin

The German noun Unschuld is formed with "un-", meaning not or lacking, and Schuld, an inherited Germanic word for obligation, debt, and guilt.

Usage tips

  • The adjective is usually unschuldig; with responsibility for an event, it commonly uses "unschuldig an" plus the dative, as in "unschuldig an der Tat".

Other meanings

  • puritynoun
  • naivetynoun
  • virginitynoun

Opposites

Related words

  • Unschuldsvermutungpresumption of innocencenoun
  • Unschuldsbeweisproof of innocencenoun

Word lists with this word