to denounce / inform on
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to inform on
To betray or report someone to an authority (e.g., the police, government) for base motives. The word has a strongly negative meaning.
Während der Diktatur wurden viele Menschen von ihren eigenen Nachbarn denunziert.
During the dictatorship, many people were informed on by their own neighbors.
to denounce
To publicly condemn and denounce something as bad, harmful, or immoral.
Die Hilfsorganisation denunzierte die katastrophalen Zustände in den Flüchtlingslagern.
The aid organization denounced the catastrophic conditions in the refugee camps.
This word always has a strongly negative connotation. It does not simply mean 'melden' (to report), but implies betrayal for base, immoral motives. Use it only when you want to express this negative judgment.
Er wurde beschuldigt, seine Kollegen aus reiner Bosheit denunziert zu haben.
He was accused of having informed on his colleagues out of pure malice.
When one person betrays another to an authority, the typical structure is: subject + denunziert + person (accusative) + bei + authority (dative).
Er hat seinen Nachbarn bei der Polizei denunziert.
He informed on his neighbor to the police.
The meaning 'verraten' (to betray/inform on) is very often used in connection with dictatorships, totalitarian regimes, or periods of occupation, when people betrayed others out of fear or for personal gain.
In der Zeit des Nationalsozialismus wurden viele Regimegegner denunziert.
During the Nazi era, many opponents of the regime were informed on.
When 'denunzieren' means 'öffentlich anprangern' (to publicly denounce), the object is usually not a person, but an abstract problem or abuse. Typical objects are 'die Zustände' (the conditions), 'die Politik' (the policy/politics), or 'die Methoden' (the methods).
Der Journalist denunzierte die Korruption im Rathaus in seinem Artikel.
The journalist denounced the corruption at city hall in his article.
to sentence / condemn
Both words can express a strongly negative evaluation. Verurteilen primarily states a disapproving moral judgment and can also be phrased objectively; denunzieren means publicly and strongly denouncing something. Use verurteilen for the judgment itself, and denunzieren for a public attack.
Die Bürgermeisterin denunzierte die beleidigenden Aussagen in einer öffentlichen Anklagerede.
The mayor denounced the insulting statements in a public speech of condemnation.
Die Bürgermeisterin verurteilte die beleidigenden Aussagen mit sachlichen Worten.
The mayor condemned the insulting statements in objective terms.
