property damage
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property damage
The intentional or negligent damaging or destruction of someone else's property. This is a criminal offense.
Das Zerkratzen des Autolacks wurde als Sachbeschädigung zur Anzeige gebracht.
The scratching of the car's paint was reported as property damage.
This word is made up of 'Sache' (thing/property) and 'Beschädigung' (damage). It therefore literally describes the damaging of a thing or of someone else's property.
Die Polizei ermittelt wegen Sachbeschädigung an mehreren Autos.
The police are investigating property damage to several cars.
'Sachbeschädigung' (property damage) is a term from legal and administrative language. In everyday speech, you would often simply say that someone broke or damaged something.
Der Vermieter hat Anzeige wegen Sachbeschädigung erstattet.
The landlord filed a complaint for property damage.
Common verbs used with this noun are 'eine Sachbeschädigung begehen' (to commit property damage), 'jemanden wegen Sachbeschädigung anzeigen' (to report someone for property damage), or 'eine Anzeige erstatten' (to file a complaint).
Wer eine Sachbeschädigung begeht, muss mit einer Strafe rechnen.
Anyone who commits property damage must expect a penalty.
damage / harm
'der Schaden' and 'die Sachbeschädigung' both have to do with damaged things. 'Schaden' is the result: something is broken, worth less, or looks worse. 'Sachbeschädigung' refers to the act or the legal case when someone damages or destroys someone else's property. The words can be confused because a 'Sachbeschädigung' almost always causes 'Schaden'. But not every 'Schaden' is a 'Sachbeschädigung': a storm can cause damage without anyone committing a crime.
Nach dem Spiel meldete der Verein eine Sachbeschädigung, weil mehrere Fensterscheiben kaputt waren.
After the game, the club reported property damage because several windowpanes were broken.
An der Haustür ist nach dem Sturm ein kleiner Schaden zu sehen.
After the storm, a small amount of damage can be seen on the front door.