die Kriminalität
crime
The totality of all punishable acts; crime as a social phenomenon.
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei hat neue Maßnahmen zur Bekämpfung der organisierten Kriminalität ergriffen.
The police have taken new measures to combat organized crime.
die Kriminalität
crime
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'Kriminalität' (crime) belongs to a word family. The related adjective is 'kriminell' (criminal), and a person who commits a criminal offense is called 'der/die Kriminelle' (the criminal).
EXAMPLE
Er wurde wegen krimineller Aktivitäten verurteilt.
He was convicted for criminal activities.
Typical collocations
'Kriminalität' (crime) is often used with verbs such as 'bekämpfen' (to combat), 'eindämmen' (to curb), or 'verhindern' (to prevent). Common combinations also include 'organisierte Kriminalität' (organized crime) or 'steigende/sinkende Kriminalität' (rising/falling crime).
EXAMPLE
Die Regierung will die organisierte Kriminalität stärker bekämpfen.
The government wants to combat organized crime more strongly.
Use as a compound
The word is often used as the second part of compound nouns to describe a specific type of crime. Examples include 'Jugendkriminalität' (juvenile delinquency), 'Wirtschaftskriminalität' (white-collar crime), or 'Cyberkriminalität' (cybercrime).
EXAMPLE
Ein Schwerpunkt der Polizei ist die Bekämpfung der Cyberkriminalität.
One focus of the police is combating cybercrime.
Compare with
Kriminalität vs Verbrechen
crime
Verbrechen refers to a single serious criminal act. Kriminalität, by contrast, refers to the totality of criminal acts as a social phenomenon. Verbrechen is appropriate for a specific serious case; Kriminalität is used for the general situation in a city or country.
Kriminalität
Der Bericht untersucht die Kriminalität in der Stadt.
The report examines crime in the city.
Verbrechen
Der Bericht untersucht ein schweres Verbrechen in der Stadt.
The report examines a serious crime in the city.
In real life
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