psychopath
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psychopath
In the clinical sense, a person who suffers from a severe personality disorder (psychopathy), characterized by a lack of empathy, manipulative behavior, and antisocial tendencies.
Der Gutachter diagnostizierte den Angeklagten als Psychopathen mit hoher Rückfallgefahr.
The expert diagnosed the defendant as a psychopath with a high risk of reoffending.
psychopath
Colloquially and derogatorily, a person perceived as extremely reckless, cold-hearted, or dangerously unpredictable.
Fahr nicht so rücksichtslos, du Psychopath!
Don't drive so recklessly, you psychopath!
The word is made up of the Greek elements 'Psycho-' (soul, mind) and '-path' (suffering, illness). So it literally describes a person with a mental illness, which points to its origin as a clinical term.
Die Vorsilbe „Psycho-“ findet man in vielen Wörtern aus der Psychologie.
The prefix 'Psycho-' is found in many words from psychology.
'Psychopath' (psychopath) is a weak masculine noun (n-declension). This means it takes the ending '-en' in all cases except the nominative singular.
Die Polizei befragte den Psychopathen.
The police questioned the psychopath.
In the clinical sense, 'Psychopath' (psychopath) is a technical term from psychology. You can recognize this use in formal contexts, often together with words like 'Diagnose' (diagnosis), 'Gutachten' (expert report), or 'Persönlichkeitsstörung' (personality disorder).
Der forensische Psychiater erstellte ein Gutachten über den Angeklagten.
The forensic psychiatrist prepared an expert report on the defendant.
In colloquial language, 'Psychopath' (psychopath) is used as a very strong and derogatory insult for a person who is perceived as crazy, reckless, or unpredictable. This usage is very informal and emotional.
Wer so parkt, ist doch ein echter Psychopath!
Anyone who parks like that is a real psychopath!
