unlawful
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unlawful
Something that violates applicable law or a law and is therefore illegal. The term is often used in a legal context.
Das Gericht erklärte die Kündigung für rechtswidrig.
The court declared the dismissal unlawful.
The word is made up of 'Recht' (law/right) and 'widrig' (contrary to). 'Widrig' means 'against' or 'contrary to', so 'rechtswidrig' (unlawful) literally means 'against the law'.
Sein Handeln war eindeutig rechtswidrig.
His actions were clearly unlawful.
A very typical construction is 'etwas für rechtswidrig erklären' (to declare something unlawful). The thing being judged is in the accusative.
Das Gericht hat die Entscheidung für rechtswidrig erklärt.
The court declared the decision unlawful.
'Rechtswidrig' (unlawful) often describes legal or official processes. Common combinations are 'rechtswidrige Handlung' (unlawful act), 'rechtswidriger Zustand' (unlawful situation), or 'rechtswidriger Beschluss' (unlawful resolution/decision).
Gegen den rechtswidrigen Bescheid kann man Einspruch erheben.
You can file an objection against the unlawful notice.
This word belongs to formal language and is used especially often in legal, administrative, and political contexts.
In dem Gutachten wird die Maßnahme als rechtswidrig eingestuft.
In the expert opinion, the measure is classified as unlawful.
legal
'rechtlich' and 'rechtswidrig' form a contrast when 'rechtlich' is meant in the sense of legally allowed or in accordance with the law. 'rechtswidrig' means that something violates applicable law. The word sounds rather legalistic and is often used for actions, decisions, or measures. For clarity, people often say 'rechtlich zulässig' (legally permissible) or 'rechtlich erlaubt' (legally allowed), because 'rechtlich' alone can also simply mean 'connected with the law'.
Das Parken auf dem Gehweg war in diesem Fall rechtswidrig.
Parking on the sidewalk was unlawful in this case.
Die Vereinbarung ist nur rechtlich gültig, wenn beide Seiten unterschreiben.
The agreement is legally valid only if both sides sign it.