suspended sentence
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suspended sentence
A sentence imposed by a court (usually a prison sentence) whose execution is suspended on probation. This means the convicted person does not have to go to prison as long as they do not commit another offense within a specified period.
Der Ersttäter wurde zu einer Freiheitsstrafe von acht Monaten auf Bewährung verurteilt.
The first-time offender was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended on probation.
The word is made up of 'Bewährung' (probation) and 'Strafe' (punishment/sentence). 'Bewährung' comes from the verb 'sich bewähren' (to prove oneself good/reliable). So the convicted person must prove themselves during a probationary period.
Eine Bewährungsstrafe gibt dem Verurteilten eine zweite Chance.
A suspended sentence gives the convicted person a second chance.
The phrase 'auf Bewährung' (on probation) is very common. Someone is 'zu einer Strafe auf Bewährung verurteilt' (sentenced to a suspended sentence/on probation), or a sentence is 'zur Bewährung ausgesetzt' (suspended on probation).
Er wurde zu einem Jahr auf Bewährung verurteilt.
He was sentenced to one year on probation.
In connection with a suspended sentence, the verbs 'bekommen' (to get), 'erhalten' (to receive), or 'verhängen' (to impose) are often used.
Wegen des Diebstahls hat er eine Bewährungsstrafe bekommen.
Because of the theft, he received a suspended sentence.
probation / proving oneself
Both words describe a court-imposed sentence whose execution is suspended under certain conditions. „Bewährungsstrafe“ refers to the specific sentence imposed, while „Bewährung“ describes the arrangement or status under which the person remains free. Use „Bewährungsstrafe“ for the court’s decision and „Bewährung“ for the period that follows.
Das Gericht verhängte wegen der ersten Tat eine Bewährungsstrafe.
Because it was his first offense, the court imposed a suspended sentence.
Nach der Verurteilung blieb er auf Bewährung in Freiheit.
After his conviction, he remained free on probation.
