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.
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 report / get in touch
'melden' and 'denunzieren' can both mean that you tell an authority something about a person or an incident. But the difference is very important: 'melden' is neutral and can be correct or necessary, for example in the case of an accident or a problem. 'denunzieren' means to betray or report someone for bad reasons. The word is strongly negative. It is easy to confuse the words because both can involve a report to the police, a boss, or an authority. If you are simply passing on information factually, 'melden' fits. If it is about betrayal or bad intent, 'denunzieren' fits.
Der Mitarbeiter denunzierte seinen Kollegen beim Chef, obwohl dieser nichts falsch gemacht hatte.
The employee informed on his colleague to the boss, even though the colleague had done nothing wrong.
Im Supermarkt meldet ein Kunde den kaputten Kühlschrank beim Personal.
In the supermarket, a customer reports the broken refrigerator to the staff.