to accuse
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to accuse someone of something
To accuse someone of having committed a negative or criminal act. The accusation is often serious, but not necessarily proven.
Er wurde des Diebstahls bezichtigt, obwohl es keine Beweise gab.
He was accused of theft, even though there was no evidence.
The verb 'bezichtigen' (to accuse) is inseparable. The prefix 'be-' remains firmly attached to the verb stem in all conjugated forms and sentence types.
Sie bezichtigte ihn der Lüge.
She accused him of lying.
This verb requires a fixed grammatical structure: you accuse 'jemanden' (someone; accusative) 'einer Sache' (of something; genitive). Using a preposition such as 'mit' (with) or 'von' (of/from) is incorrect here.
Man bezichtigte den Minister der Korruption.
The minister was accused of corruption.
'Bezichtigen' (to accuse) is a formal word that is often used in legal or official contexts. It expresses a serious accusation.
In dem Zeitungsartikel wurde der Politiker schwerer Verfehlungen bezichtigt.
In the newspaper article, the politician was accused of serious misconduct.
to suspect
'verdächtigen' and 'bezichtigen' both have to do with the accusation that someone has done something negative or criminal. 'verdächtigen' means more: you consider someone possibly responsible, but you do not yet have definite proof. The word fits well in investigations or initial suspicions. 'bezichtigen' is stronger and more direct: you accuse someone of a specific act. It often sounds more serious and more formal. In practical terms: you can suspect someone before you openly accuse them of an act.
Der Anwalt bezichtigt den Zeugen der Lüge vor Gericht.
The lawyer accuses the witness of lying in court.
Die Polizei verdächtigt einen Nachbarn, weil mehrere Zeugen ihn gesehen haben.
The police suspect a neighbor because several witnesses saw him.