misconduct
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misconduct
Behavior that deviates from applicable rules, norms, or expectations and is regarded as wrong or inappropriate.
Dem Mitarbeiter wurde wegen wiederholten Fehlverhaltens am Arbeitsplatz gekündigt.
The employee was dismissed because of repeated misconduct in the workplace.
The word consists of the prefix 'Fehl-' and the noun 'Verhalten' (behavior). The prefix 'Fehl-' always means 'wrong' or 'faulty', as in 'Fehlentscheidung' (wrong decision) or 'Fehler' (mistake).
Ein kleiner Fehler ist noch kein schwerwiegendes Fehlverhalten.
A small mistake is not yet serious misconduct.
'Fehlverhalten' (misconduct) is a formal term. It is used mainly in official, professional, or legal contexts, for example at work, at school, or in court.
Die Schule hat auf das Fehlverhalten des Schülers mit einer Verwarnung reagiert.
The school responded to the student's misconduct with a warning.
Someone is often 'Fehlverhalten vorgeworfen' (accused of misconduct). A consequence is often introduced with the preposition 'wegen' (because of), for example 'Kündigung wegen Fehlverhaltens' (dismissal because of misconduct).
Man warf ihm grobes Fehlverhalten gegenüber den Kunden vor.
He was accused of gross misconduct toward the customers.
mistake / error
'der Fehler' and 'das Fehlverhalten' both have to do with something wrong. However, 'der Fehler' is more general: it can happen by accident, for example in an email, in a calculation, or in a decision. 'das Fehlverhalten' means wrong or inappropriate behavior by a person, often against rules or expectations. It sounds more serious and somewhat more formal. Learners may confuse the words because both are negative. As a practical rule: for something incorrect or a wrong decision, 'Fehler' usually fits; when someone behaves wrongly, 'Fehlverhalten' fits.
Die Schule spricht morgen mit den Eltern über das Fehlverhalten des Schülers.
Tomorrow, the school will talk to the parents about the student's misconduct.
In der E-Mail war ein Fehler in der Telefonnummer.
There was a mistake in the phone number in the email.