rückfällig
relapsing
Relapsing into an illness, addiction, or undesirable behavior after a temporary improvement.
EXAMPLE
Nach mehreren Monaten ohne Alkohol wurde er wieder rückfällig.
After several months without alcohol, he relapsed.
rückfällig
relapsing
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Meanings
rückfällig werden
to reoffend
To commit another crime after having previously been convicted.
EXAMPLE
Der vorzeitig entlassene Straftäter wurde innerhalb eines Jahres rückfällig.
The offender, who was released early, reoffended within a year.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry rückfällig, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | rückfällig |
|---|
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to rückfällig.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to rückfällig.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to rückfällig.
Usage tips
Word family
'Rückfällig' (relapsing) belongs to the word family of 'fallen' (to fall) and 'Rückfall' (relapse). The component 'rück-' (back-) helps you remember it: It indicates movement back to an earlier state or behavior.
EXAMPLE
Trotz der langen Behandlung wurde sie wieder rückfällig.
Despite the lengthy treatment, she relapsed again.
Typical construction
'Rückfällig' (relapsing) is particularly often used with 'werden' (to become). The person affected is the subject; 'könnte rückfällig werden' (could relapse) can be used to express a possible risk.
EXAMPLE
Er fürchtet, dass er ohne Unterstützung rückfällig werden könnte.
He is afraid that he could relapse without support.
Context clue
Words such as 'Vorstrafe' (prior conviction), 'Bewährung' (probation), or 'Haftentlassung' (release from prison) indicate that 'rückfällig' (reoffending) refers to crimes. The new crime does not have to be the same type as the previous one.
EXAMPLE
Nach seiner Haftentlassung wurde der Mann während der Bewährungszeit rückfällig.
After his release from prison, the man reoffended during his probation.
In real life
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