German word

Verbrechen

Pronunciation

IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈbrɛçn̩/

Meaning

  • neuter nouncrime

Example

Er hat ein Verbrechen begangen.

He committed a crime.

Illustration for Verbrechen (crime)

More examples

Die Polizei konnte das Verbrechen endlich aufklären.

The police were finally able to solve the crime.

Core concept

A severe violation of a shared legal order rather than a minor mistake or ordinary breach of etiquette.

Common phrases

  • ein Verbrechen begehen

    commit a crime

  • ein Verbrechen aufklären

    solve a crime

  • schweres Verbrechen

    serious crime

Similar words

Straftat: An act against the law that can lead to legal punishment.
Vergehen: A less serious legal violation usually carrying a light penalty.
Kriminalität: The overall pattern of criminal acts occurring in society.

Definition in German

Eine schwerwiegende, rechtswidrige Tat, die strafrechtlich verfolgt wird.

Word origin

German Verbrechen developed from the verb verbrechen, related to brechen 'to break', so its historical structure reflects the idea of violating an order or rule.

Usage tips

  • Verbrechen is neuter, so the definite article is das in the singular and die in the plural.

Other meanings

  • felonynoun

Opposites

  • Rechtmäßigkeitlegalitynoun

Related words

  • Verbrechercriminalnoun
  • verbrecherischcriminaladjective
  • Verbrechensopfercrime victimnoun

Word lists with this word