crook
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crook
A person who commits criminal acts, especially theft or fraud. The word often has a slightly derogatory or colloquial connotation and usually refers to a petty criminal.
Die Polizei hat den Ganoven nach einer langen Verfolgungsjagd endlich gefasst.
After a long chase, the police finally caught the crook.
'Der Ganove' (the crook) belongs to the N-declension. This means that the word takes the ending '-n' in all cases except the nominative singular. This is an important grammatical feature for many masculine nouns that refer to people.
Die Polizei beobachtet den Ganoven schon seit Wochen.
The police have been watching the crook for weeks.
The word 'Ganove' (crook) is colloquial and is often used in a narrative or slightly downplaying context. In official police reports or news texts, you would be more likely to find neutral terms.
In alten Kriminalfilmen gibt es oft sympathische Ganoven.
In old crime films, there are often likable crooks.
In connection with 'Ganove' (crook), verbs are often used that describe catching or proving someone guilty. Typical combinations are 'einen Ganoven fassen' (to catch a crook), 'einen Ganoven schnappen' (to nab a crook), or 'einen Ganoven verhaften' (to arrest a crook).
Dem Kommissar gelang es, den gerissenen Ganoven zu schnappen.
The detective managed to nab the cunning crook.
criminal
Both words refer to a criminal person. Verbrecher is a general term and is especially suitable for serious crimes. Ganove sounds more colloquial and usually refers to a petty thief or fraudster.
Die Polizei sucht den Ganoven, der ältere Menschen mit einem kleinen Trick bestohlen hat.
The police are looking for the crook who stole from elderly people using a simple trick.
Die Polizei sucht den Verbrecher, der bei dem bewaffneten Überfall zwei Menschen verletzt hat.
The police are looking for the criminal who injured two people during the armed robbery.
