Ways to say it
| German | Note |
|---|---|
| Angeklagte | feminine |
| Angeklagter | masculine |
| Beschuldigter | masculine |
| Beschuldigte | feminine |
In German, there are different terms for an accused person depending on the legal stage and gender. Use Angeklagter or Angeklagte for a defendant in a formal criminal trial. Use Beschuldigter or Beschuldigte more generally for a suspect or someone accused of a crime during an investigation. To refer to the act of accusing someone, the noun Beschuldigung is used.
What does it mean word for word?
The word Angeklagte literally means 'one who has been sued/complained against'. It is formed from the prefix an- (at/to), the verb klagen (to complain/sue) and the suffix -te (a past participle marker).
Which one should you use?
Angeklagter is the masculine form used for a male defendant, while Angeklagte is the feminine form for a female defendant. Use Angeklagter specifically when a person has been officially charged in a formal legal context. In contrast, Beschuldigter is a more general term for a suspect or someone accused of a crime before or during an investigation.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as a noun with a definite article, such as der Angeklagte (the accused, masculine), the word Angeklagte functions as an adjective-noun and must follow adjective declension rules. The related adjective angeklagt means 'having been accused'.
Did you know?
- The verb klagen in Angeklagter is used not just in law but also to describe the act of lamenting or mourning. This means the root of the word for 'defendant' is also the word for 'wailing'.
- If a person is accused of something in a casual, non-legal sense, Germans might use the phrase jemandem etwas vorwerfen. The word Vorwurf describes a reproach or a blame rather than a formal accusation.
- While Angeklagter is used for criminal defendants, the verb klagen is also the standard term for filing a civil lawsuit. In civil law, the person who starts the suit is the Kläger.
Examples in context
- Kennst du die Angeklagte?Do you know the accused?This sentence is useful for asking if someone knows the Angeklagte.Tatoeba #12526682 by Waldelfe, translation #12526127 by CK
- Ich beschuldigte ihn des Betrugs.I accused him of cheating.This sentence shows the use of the verb form related to Beschuldigte.Tatoeba #7309993 by Yorwba, translation #254980 by CK
- Sie beschuldigten sich gegenseitig.They accused each other.This sentence demonstrates the use of the verb form related to Beschuldigte in a reciprocal context.Tatoeba #3324617 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #3320780 by Hybrid
- Der Beschuldigte wurde heute vor Gericht gestellt.The accused was brought to court today.
- Glaubst du, der Beschuldigte ist schuldig?Do you think the accused is guilty?
- 36 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Felix are discussing a true crime documentary.
- JuliaWar die Angeklagte in dem Film unschuldig?Was the defendant in the film innocent?
- FelixEs ist nicht ganz klar, Julia.It is not quite clear, Julia.
- JuliaFelix, hast du das Urteil gesehen?Felix, did you see the verdict?
- FelixNein, ich habe es noch nicht gesehen.No, I haven't seen it yet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “accused” translations and entries Angeklagte, Angeklagter, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
