crime story / thriller
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crime story / thriller
A film, book, or radio play in which a crime is at the center and its investigation is presented in an exciting way.
Sonntagabend schaue ich am liebsten den neuen Krimi im Fernsehen.
On Sunday evenings, I most like watching the new crime drama on TV.
thriller
Colloquial for a very exciting, dramatic, and often unpredictable situation or event.
Das Endspiel der Weltmeisterschaft war ein echter Krimi bis zur letzten Minute.
The World Cup final was a real thriller right up to the last minute.
'Krimi' (crime story / thriller) is a short form. The word developed from longer words such as 'Kriminalroman' (crime novel) or 'Kriminalfilm' (crime film) and has become established in general usage.
Ich lese gerade einen spannenden Kriminalroman.
I'm currently reading an exciting crime novel.
You can easily recognize the meaning from context. If people are talking about media such as books, films, or series, it means a crime story. In connection with real events such as a sports match or an election, it means an exciting situation.
Im Fernsehen läuft ein schwedischer Krimi.
There's a Swedish crime drama on TV.
When referring to a crime story, 'Krimi' (crime story / thriller) is often combined with verbs that describe media consumption. Typical ones are: 'einen Krimi lesen' (to read a crime novel), 'schauen' (to watch), 'sehen' (to see/watch), or also 'schreiben' (to write) and 'drehen' (to shoot/film).
Am Sonntagabend schauen wir immer zusammen den Krimi.
On Sunday evenings, we always watch the crime drama together.
The figurative meaning for an exciting situation is colloquial. In more formal contexts, you would be more likely to speak of a 'dramatic' or 'highly exciting' situation.
Die letzte Runde der Verhandlungen war ein echter Krimi.
The final round of negotiations was a real thriller.
thriller
Krimi and Thriller can both be exciting and overlap. In a Krimi, a crime and its investigation are at the center; in a Thriller, threat, excitement, and suspense are the key elements. The choice depends on which aspect shapes the story.
Der Film ist ein Krimi, weil eine Kommissarin einen Mord aufklärt.
The film is a crime story because a female detective solves a murder.
Der Film ist ein Thriller, weil die Kommissarin ständig in Lebensgefahr gerät.
The film is a thriller because the female detective is constantly in danger of losing her life.
