das Vergehen
offense
An unlawful act or violation of a rule that is generally less serious than a crime.
EXAMPLE
Das Vergehen wurde mit einer Geldstrafe geahndet.
The offense was punished with a fine.
das Vergehen
offense / passing
das Vergehen, die Vergehen
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Meanings
das Vergehen
passing
The gradual passing, disappearing, or fading away of something, especially time, feelings, or states.
EXAMPLE
Das Vergehen der Zeit lässt sich nicht aufhalten.
The passing of time cannot be stopped.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Vergehen, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Vergehen |
| genitive | des Vergehens |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Vergehen | die Vergehen |
| accusative | das Vergehen | die Vergehen |
| dative | dem Vergehen | den Vergehen |
| genitive | des Vergehens | der Vergehen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Context clue
In a legal context, „das Vergehen“ (the offense) refers to a violation of a rule; when referring to time, feelings, or states, it means a gradual passing. Words such as „Geldstrafe“ (fine) or „Vorschrift“ (rule) usually point to the legal meaning, while words such as „Zeit“ (time) or „Gefühl“ (feeling) point to the other meaning.
EXAMPLE
Wegen des Vergehens musste der Fahrer eine Geldstrafe zahlen.
Because of the offense, the driver had to pay a fine.
Das Vergehen der Trauer braucht manchmal viele Jahre.
The passing of grief sometimes takes many years.
Typical collocations
In its legal meaning, „Vergehen“ (offense) frequently occurs with expressions such as „ein Vergehen begehen“ (to commit an offense), „ein Vergehen anzeigen“ (to report an offense), or „ein Vergehen ahnden“ (to punish an offense). The expression „ein geringfügiges Vergehen“ (a minor offense) is also common in legal and official texts.
EXAMPLE
Der Mann hatte schon früher mehrere Vergehen begangen.
The man had already committed several offenses in the past.
Genitive construction
When referring to gradual passing, „Vergehen“ (passing) is often followed by a genitive attribute, especially with references to time or abstract states. Typical patterns are „das Vergehen der Zeit“ (the passing of time) and „mit dem Vergehen der Jahre“ (as the years passed).
EXAMPLE
Mit dem Vergehen der Jahre verblasste die Erinnerung an den Ort.
As the years passed, the memory of the place faded.
In real life
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