prosecutor / accuser
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prosecutor
A person who officially accuses someone of a crime in a court proceeding. In the German legal system, this is usually the public prosecutor.
Der Ankläger forderte eine mehrjährige Haftstrafe für den Angeklagten.
The prosecutor demanded a prison sentence of several years for the defendant.
'Der Ankläger' (the prosecutor/accuser) belongs to a word family around the verb 'anklagen' (to accuse/to indict). The action is 'die Anklage' (the accusation/indictment), the person carrying it out is 'der Ankläger' (the prosecutor/accuser), and the accused person is 'der Angeklagte' (the defendant).
Der Richter hörte sich die Argumente von Ankläger und Verteidiger an.
The judge listened to the arguments of the prosecutor and the defense attorney.
In a legal context, typical verbs for the prosecutor are 'fordern' (to demand), 'beweisen' (to prove), and 'plädieren' (to plead/argue). He often demands a specific sentence.
Der Ankläger forderte eine hohe Geldstrafe.
The prosecutor demanded a large fine.
You can recognize the figurative meaning from the context. If it is not about a court, but about a debate, morality, or politics, it usually refers to the role of a moral critic.
In der Diskussion über den Umweltschutz wurde er zum schärfsten Ankläger der Industrie.
In the discussion about environmental protection, he became the industry's harshest accuser.
public prosecutor
'der Staatsanwalt' and 'der Ankläger' can both mean a person who accuses someone. In court, the public prosecutor in Germany is usually the official person who represents the prosecution on behalf of the state. 'Ankläger' is more general and emphasizes the role of accusing. It can be meant in a legal sense, but also outside court when someone makes strong accusations against someone else. Learners may confuse the words because the public prosecutor often acts as an accuser. In criminal proceedings, 'Staatsanwalt' is usually the precise and official term.
In der Diskussion sprach er wie ein Ankläger und machte allen schwere Vorwürfe.
In the discussion, he spoke like an accuser and made serious accusations against everyone.
Morgen wird die Zeugin mit dem Staatsanwalt über ihre Aussage sprechen.
Tomorrow, the witness will speak with the public prosecutor about her statement.