01
freisprechen
to acquit
In a court case, to officially declare an accused person not guilty.
example
Der Richter musste den Angeklagten aus Mangel an Beweisen freisprechen.
The judge had to acquit the defendant due to a lack of evidence.
freisprechen
to acquit
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Freisprechen' (to acquit / to release from apprenticeship) is a separable verb. The prefix 'frei-' comes at the end in a main clause, while it stays attached to the verb in a subordinate clause. In the infinitive with 'zu', 'zu' goes in the middle.
EXAMPLE
Das Gericht spricht den Mann frei.
The court acquits the man.
Word structure
The verb is made up of 'frei' (free) and 'sprechen' (to speak). The literal meaning is 'to make someone free by speaking'—either free from guilt (in court) or free from the status of apprentice (in the trades).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Urteil war der Mann froh, freigesprochen worden zu sein.
After the verdict, the man was glad to have been acquitted.
Two technical contexts
You can recognize the meaning from the context. Words like 'Gericht' (court), 'Angeklagter' (defendant), or 'Beweise' (evidence) point to the legal meaning. Terms like 'Lehrling' (apprentice), 'Meister' (master craftsman), or 'Handwerk' (trade/craft) indicate the meaning in the training context.
EXAMPLE
Der Richter sprach den Angeklagten aus Mangel an Beweisen frei.
The judge acquitted the defendant due to a lack of evidence.
Sentence structure with a preposition
In the legal context, the structure 'jemanden (Akkusativ) von etwas (Dativ) freisprechen' (to acquit someone of something) is often used. The preposition 'von' introduces the accusation or charge from which the person is freed.
EXAMPLE
Der Angeklagte wurde vom Vorwurf des Diebstahls freigesprochen.
The defendant was acquitted of the charge of theft.
Compare with
freisprechen vs verurteilen
to sentence / condemn
'verurteilen' and 'freisprechen' are opposites in court. When a court 'verurteilt' someone, it declares the person guilty and sets a punishment. When a court 'freispricht' someone, it officially declares the accused person not guilty. So both words fit a court case, but the outcome is exactly the opposite. 'verurteilen' leads to a punishment; 'freisprechen' means no guilt and no punishment in this case.
freisprechen
Morgen spricht das Gericht die Frau frei, wenn es keine Beweise gibt.
Tomorrow the court will acquit the woman if there is no evidence.
verurteilen
Im Gericht verurteilt der Richter den Angeklagten wegen Diebstahls.
In court, the judge sentences the defendant for theft.
In real life
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