straffällig
delinquent
Having violated a criminal law and thereby come into conflict with the criminal justice system.
EXAMPLE
Der straffällige Jugendliche muss sich vor Gericht verantworten.
The juvenile offender must appear in court.
straffällig
delinquent
straffällig – straffälliger – am straffälligsten
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Meanings
straffällig werden
to commit a criminal offense
To commit a criminal offense and thereby come into conflict with the criminal justice system.
EXAMPLE
Er wurde zum ersten Mal straffällig, als er ein Auto stahl.
He first broke the law when he stole a car.
Forms
Comparison
| basic form | straffällig |
|---|---|
| comparative | straffälliger |
| superlative | am straffälligsten |
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 straffällig.
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 straffällig.
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 straffällig.
Usage tips
Referring to people
'Straffällig' (delinquent) normally describes people or groups of people, rather than the offense itself. It often comes before words such as 'Jugendlicher' (juvenile), 'Person' (person), or 'Täter' (offender), and it can also be used after 'sein' (to be).
EXAMPLE
Die straffällige Person nahm an einem sozialen Trainingskurs teil.
The person with a criminal record took part in a social skills training course.
Legal language
The word is used mainly in legal, administrative, and social education contexts. In news reports and official texts, it is often used when referring to people who have come into contact with the criminal justice system.
EXAMPLE
Die Behörde prüft, welche Unterstützung straffälligen Jugendlichen angeboten werden kann.
The authorities are examining what support can be offered to juvenile offenders.
Fixed expression
The expression 'straffällig werden' (to commit a criminal offense) is typical when referring to the beginning of a criminal career. The reason or cause can be specified with 'wegen' (because of) or 'durch' (through).
EXAMPLE
Der Mann wurde wegen Betrugs straffällig.
The man broke the law by committing fraud.
Sie wurde durch einen Ladendiebstahl erstmals straffällig.
She broke the law for the first time by shoplifting.
In real life
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