01
die Unschuld
innocence
The state of not being responsible for or guilty of a crime, mistake, or moral wrongdoing.
example
Der Angeklagte konnte vor Gericht seine Unschuld beweisen.
The defendant was able to prove his innocence in court.
die Unschuld
innocence
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word structure
The word is easy to understand if you break it down: the prefix 'Un-' is a negation, and the base word is 'die Schuld' (guilt/fault). 'Unschuld' (innocence) therefore literally means 'non-guilt'.
EXAMPLE
Ohne die Vorsilbe „un-“ hat das Wort die gegenteilige Bedeutung: Schuld.
Without the prefix 'un-', the word has the opposite meaning: guilt.
Use in the singular
As an abstract noun, 'Unschuld' (innocence) is used almost exclusively in the singular. The plural is extremely rare and is not used in normal everyday language.
EXAMPLE
Er sprach immer wieder von seiner Unschuld.
He kept talking about his innocence.
Typical collocations
In a legal context, 'Unschuld' (innocence) is often combined with certain verbs. Typical phrases are 'seine Unschuld beteuern' (to insist on one's innocence), 'an jemandes Unschuld glauben' (to believe in someone's innocence), or 'seine Unschuld beweisen' (to prove one's innocence).
EXAMPLE
Bis zum Schluss hat sie ihre Unschuld beteuert.
She insisted on her innocence right to the end.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'die Unschuld vom Lande' (the naive country innocent) is fixed and is often used ironically. It implies that the person is only pretending to be naive and inexperienced.
EXAMPLE
Spiel nicht die Unschuld vom Lande, ich weiß genau, dass du davon wusstest!
Don't play the naive innocent; I know perfectly well that you knew about it!
Compare with
Unschuld vs Schuld
guilt / debt
'die Schuld' and 'die Unschuld' are direct opposites here. 'Schuld' means that someone is responsible for a mistake, a crime, or a wrongful action. 'Unschuld' means that someone is not responsible for it. Both words are often used when it needs to be determined whether someone did something wrong. Important: in this context, 'Unschuld' does not mean naive, but not guilty.
Unschuld
Sie beteuert ihre Unschuld und wartet auf die Entscheidung des Gerichts.
She insists on her innocence and is waiting for the court's decision.
Schuld
Der Zeuge konnte die Schuld des Angeklagten nicht beweisen.
The witness could not prove the defendant's guilt.
In real life
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