German word

Verbrecher

Pronunciation

IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈbʁɛçɐ/

Meaning

  • masculine nouncriminal

Example

Viele Verbrecher zeigen keine Reue.

Many criminals show no remorse.

Illustration for Verbrecher (criminal)

More examples

Der Verbrecher wurde nach einem Zeugenaufruf identifiziert.

The criminal was identified after an appeal for witnesses.

Core concept

A person identified with an unlawful act and treated as its perpetrator.

Common phrases

  • gewalttätiger Verbrecher

    violent criminal

  • mutmaßlicher Verbrecher

    suspected criminal

  • flüchtiger Verbrecher

    fugitive criminal

Similar words

Täter: A person considered responsible for committing a crime.
Straftäter: A person who has committed a criminal offense.
Verurteilte: A person found guilty by a court.
Beschuldigte: A person suspected of committing an offense.

Definition in German

Jemand, der eine rechtswidrige Tat begeht oder bereits begangen hat.

Word origin

Verbrecher is formed from the verb "verbrechen" with the agent suffix "-er"; "verbrechen" combines "ver-" with "brechen" and developed the sense of violating a law.

Usage tips

  • Verbrecher is masculine; the feminine form is Verbrecherin, and the plural is Verbrecher.

Other meanings

  • culpritnoun

Opposites

  • Unschuldigerinnocent personnoun

Related words

  • Verbrechencrimenoun
  • Verbrechensbekämpfungcrime fightingnoun
  • verbrecherischcriminaladjective

Word lists with this word