war criminal
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war criminal
A person who, during a war, commits acts that violate international law of war, such as killing civilians or mistreating prisoners.
Der ehemalige General wurde als Kriegsverbrecher vor ein internationales Gericht gestellt.
The former general was brought before an international court as a war criminal.
The word consists of three parts: 'Krieg' (war), the linking '-s-', and 'Verbrecher' (criminal). So it literally describes a person who commits a crime in war.
Die Verfolgung von Kriegsverbrechern ist eine wichtige internationale Aufgabe.
The prosecution of war criminals is an important international task.
The component 'Verbrecher' (criminal) belongs to a word family: the noun is 'das Verbrechen' (the crime), and the related verb is 'verbrechen' (to commit a crime).
Er hat ein schreckliches Verbrechen begangen.
He committed a terrible crime.
This word is often used in legal and historical contexts. Typical verbs are 'verurteilen' (to convict/sentence), 'anklagen' (to accuse/indict), or 'vor Gericht stellen' (to bring to court).
Er wurde wegen seiner Taten als Kriegsverbrecher angeklagt.
He was charged as a war criminal because of his actions.
perpetrator / culprit
'der Täter' and 'der Kriegsverbrecher' can both refer to a person who has committed a serious forbidden act. But 'der Täter' is much more general and can fit any crime, for example theft or assault. 'der Kriegsverbrecher' is much more specific: it refers to crimes during war that violate international law of war. Learners may confuse the words because a war criminal is also a perpetrator. But not every perpetrator is a war criminal. For ordinary crimes, you use 'Täter'; for such serious acts during war, 'Kriegsverbrecher'.
Der Kriegsverbrecher wurde vor einem internationalen Gericht angeklagt.
The war criminal was charged before an international court.
Nach dem Einbruch suchte die Polizei den Täter in der ganzen Gegend.
After the burglary, the police searched the whole area for the perpetrator.