accusation
Loading your saved state.
accusation
A claim or allegation that someone has done something wrong, criminal, or immoral.
Er wies die Anschuldigung, Firmengelder veruntreut zu haben, entschieden zurück.
He firmly rejected the accusation that he had embezzled company funds.
The word is derived from the verb 'anschuldigen' (to accuse), which consists of 'an-' and 'Schuld' (guilt/blame). It literally means to assign blame to someone for something. The ending '-ung' turns the verb into a noun.
Er wurde des Diebstahls angeschuldigt.
He was accused of theft.
Certain verbs are often used with 'Anschuldigung' (accusation): you can 'erheben' (make/raise), 'vorbringen' (put forward), 'zurückweisen' (reject), 'bestreiten' (deny) an accusation, or 'sich dagegen verteidigen' (defend oneself against it).
Die Politikerin musste sich gegen schwere Anschuldigungen verteidigen.
The politician had to defend herself against serious accusations.
The person being accused is named with the preposition 'gegen' (against). The content of the accusation often follows in a subordinate clause with 'dass' (that) or in an infinitive construction with 'zu' (to).
Die Anschuldigung, er habe gelogen, traf ihn sehr.
The accusation that he had lied hit him hard.
accusation / reproach
Vorwurf and Anschuldigung can both attribute wrongdoing to someone. Anschuldigung more strongly presents the claim that a specific wrongful act was committed. Vorwurf can do this too, but it can also refer to personal criticism or a reprimand without claiming that a specific act was committed.
Er erhob gegen sie die Anschuldigung, Geld aus der Kasse genommen zu haben.
He accused her of having taken money from the cash register.
Er machte ihr den Vorwurf, ihn vor den Gästen nicht unterstützt zu haben.
He reproached her for not supporting him in front of the guests.
