German word

kriminell

Pronunciation

IPA/kʁimiˈnɛl/

Meaning

  • adjectivecriminal

Example

Die Polizei untersucht sein kriminelles Verhalten.

The police are investigating his criminal behavior.

Illustration for kriminell (criminal)

More examples

In der Stadt nehmen kriminelle Aktivitäten zu.

Criminal activities are increasing in the city.

Core concept

A boundary marked by law is crossed by a person or by the person's conduct, with the word also used for shocking excess.

Common phrases

  • kriminelles Verhalten

    criminal behavior

  • kriminelle Tat

    criminal act

  • kriminelle Aktivitäten

    criminal activities

Similar words

illegal: Forbidden by law or contrary to legal requirements.
strafbar: Defined by law as subject to criminal punishment.
verbrecherisch: Characterized by major crimes or exceptionally vicious behavior.

Definition in German

eine strafbare Handlung oder die Beschreibung einer Person, die rechtswidrig handelt

Word origin

The adjective is a borrowing based on Latin criminalis, which derives from Latin crimen for a charge or offense.

Usage tips

  • Kriminell is normally lowercase as an adjective, as in kriminelles Verhalten, but the noun Kriminelle is capitalized.

Other meanings

  • outrageousadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • Kriminalitätcriminalitynoun
  • Kriminellercriminalnoun
  • kriminalisierencriminalizeverb

Word lists with this word