petty criminal
die Kleinkriminelle, die Kleinkriminellen
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petty criminal
A person who commits minor offenses, usually without being involved in organized or particularly serious crime.
Der Kleinkriminelle wurde wegen mehrerer Diebstähle verurteilt.
The petty criminal was convicted of several thefts.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Kleinkriminellen |
| genitive | der Kleinkriminellen |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Kleinkriminelle | die Kleinkriminellen |
| accusative | die Kleinkriminelle | die Kleinkriminellen |
| dative | der Kleinkriminellen | den Kleinkriminellen |
| genitive | der Kleinkriminellen | der Kleinkriminellen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
In the word 'Kleinkriminelle' (petty criminal), you can recognize 'klein' (small) and 'kriminell' (criminal). Here, 'klein' refers to the scope or seriousness of the offenses, not the person's height.
Die Polizei hält ihn für einen Kleinkriminellen, obwohl er bei dem Überfall nur zufällig am Tatort war.
The police consider him a petty criminal, even though he was only at the scene of the robbery by chance.
With 'als Kleinkrimineller gelten' (to be considered a petty criminal) or 'als Kleinkrimineller bekannt sein' (to be known as a petty criminal), you describe how someone is classified by others. These patterns do not take an article after 'als'.
Er gilt in seinem Viertel als Kleinkrimineller.
He is considered a petty criminal in his neighborhood.
Common collocations include 'ein vorbestrafter Kleinkrimineller' (a convicted petty criminal) and 'ein polizeibekannter Kleinkrimineller' (a petty criminal known to the police). These additions indicate whether the person has already been convicted or is already known to the police.
Bei der Kontrolle erkannte die Polizistin einen polizeibekannten Kleinkriminellen.
During the check, the police officer recognized a petty criminal known to the police.
