charge / prosecution / accusation
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charge
The formal legal accusation by the public prosecutor's office that a person has committed a crime. This is the beginning of court proceedings.
Die Staatsanwaltschaft erhob Anklage wegen schweren Betrugs.
The public prosecutor's office brought charges for serious fraud.
accusation / indictment
A strong, often public accusation or sharp criticism against a person, a group, or a situation, even outside a legal context.
Sein Roman ist eine einzige Anklage gegen die sozialen Missstände seiner Zeit.
His novel is one long indictment of the social problems of his time.
prosecution
In a court case, refers to the side of the public prosecutor as a party to the proceedings, which wants to prove the defendant's guilt.
In ihrem Plädoyer forderte die Anklage eine mehrjährige Haftstrafe.
In its closing argument, the prosecution demanded a prison sentence of several years.
'Die Anklage' (charge/prosecution/accusation) is the noun corresponding to the verb 'anklagen' (to accuse). Both words have the stem 'klagen', which means 'to complain' or 'to sue in court.' The prefix 'an-' directs the complaint or charge directly against a person.
Er wurde wegen Diebstahls angeklagt.
He was charged with theft.
In a legal context, an 'Anklage' (charge) is not 'made' in German, but 'raised.' The fixed phrase is 'Anklage erheben' (to bring charges).
Die Staatsanwaltschaft wird nächste Woche Anklage gegen den Verdächtigen erheben.
The public prosecutor's office will bring charges against the suspect next week.
You bring charges 'gegen' a person (accusative) and 'wegen' a crime (genitive). These two prepositions are essential for correct sentences.
Gegen den Manager wurde Anklage wegen Steuerhinterziehung erhoben.
Charges were brought against the manager for tax evasion.
When 'die Anklage' (the prosecution) appears as an actor in a court case and verbs such as 'fordern' (to demand) or 'plädieren' (to plead/argue) are used, it means the public prosecutor's office as a party to the proceedings. In this case, the word usually appears without an adjective and with the definite article.
Die Anklage forderte eine lebenslange Haftstrafe für den Täter.
The prosecution demanded a life sentence for the offender.
Outside the courtroom, 'Anklage' (accusation/indictment) describes sharp criticism. In this case, it is often used with 'gegen' (against) and an abstract concept, e.g. 'eine Anklage gegen die Gesellschaft' (an indictment of society).
Der Film ist eine emotionale Anklage gegen die Ungerechtigkeit in der Welt.
The film is an emotional indictment of injustice in the world.
complaint / lawsuit
Klage and Anklage can both be connected with court proceedings. A Klage is used to enforce a claim against another person or organization, whereas Anklage is a formal criminal charge brought by the public prosecutor's office. Use Klage in civil proceedings and Anklage when someone is accused of a crime.
Die Staatsanwaltschaft erhob Anklage, weil sie dem Mann eine Straftat vorwarf.
The public prosecutor's office brought charges because it accused the man of a crime.
Das Unternehmen reichte eine Klage ein, um die ausstehende Zahlung zu fordern.
The company filed a lawsuit to demand the outstanding payment.
