ungestraft
unpunished
Without being punished for an act, a crime, or misconduct.
EXAMPLE
Es kann nicht sein, dass solche Vergehen ungestraft bleiben.
It cannot be the case that such offenses go unpunished.
ungestraft
unpunished
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is made up of the prefix 'un-' (not) and 'gestraft' (past participle of 'strafen', to punish). It therefore literally means 'not punished'.
EXAMPLE
Der Dieb konnte mit dem Geld ungestraft entkommen.
The thief was able to escape with the money unpunished.
Mostly as an adverb
'Ungestraft' (unpunished) is mostly used as an adverb. It then describes a verb and answers the question 'How?'. It often appears with verbs such as 'bleiben' (to remain) or 'davonkommen' (to get away with it).
EXAMPLE
Solch ein Verhalten darf nicht ungestraft bleiben.
Such behavior must not go unpunished.
Typical collocation
A very common and fixed expression is 'ungestraft davonkommen' (to get away unpunished). It means not having to face any consequences for a bad act or a crime.
EXAMPLE
Der Betrüger ist leider ungestraft davongekommen.
Unfortunately, the fraudster got away unpunished.
Compare with
ungestraft vs straffrei
not punishable / without convictions
Ungestraft and straffrei can both be used when an act goes without punishment. Straffrei tends to describe an action that is not punishable under the law or for which no penalty is provided. Ungestraft, by contrast, describes the actual outcome when someone was not punished despite committing an act.
ungestraft
Der Mann blieb trotz seines wiederholten Fehlverhaltens ungestraft.
Despite his repeated misconduct, the man went unpunished.
straffrei
Dieser geringe Verstoß ist nach der geltenden Regelung straffrei.
Under the applicable regulations, this minor violation is not punishable.
In real life
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