innocent
die Unschuldige, die Unschuldigen
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innocent person
A person who has not committed a particular act or is not to blame for something.
Durch die falsche Zeugenaussage wurde ein Unschuldiger zu einer Haftstrafe verurteilt.
An innocent person was sentenced to prison because of false witness testimony.
innocent
A person who has little life experience, suspects no wrongdoing, or knows nothing about certain things. The term is often used ironically for someone who is only pretending to be this way.
Spiel nicht den Unschuldigen, du weißt genau, was diese anzügliche Bemerkung bedeutet!
Don't play the innocent—you know exactly what that suggestive remark means!
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Unschuldigen |
| genitive | der Unschuldigen |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Unschuldige | die Unschuldigen |
| accusative | die Unschuldige | die Unschuldigen |
| dative | der Unschuldigen | den Unschuldigen |
| genitive | der Unschuldigen | der Unschuldigen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Der Unschuldige' (the innocent person) is a nominalized adjective: it comes from 'unschuldig' (innocent) and is capitalized because it is used as a noun. The article and the ending indicate that it refers to a person.
Der Unschuldige durfte nach der Vernehmung nach Hause gehen.
The innocent person was allowed to go home after questioning.
In contexts involving courts, evidence, or punishment, the legal meaning is usually intended. In an instruction such as 'Spiel nicht den Unschuldigen' (Don't play the innocent), the term is often used ironically.
Obwohl neue Beweise auftauchten, blieb der Unschuldige zunächst im Gefängnis.
Although new evidence emerged, the innocent person initially remained in prison.
Spiel nicht den Unschuldigen, du hast die Abmachung selbst vergessen.
Don't play the innocent—you were the one who forgot the agreement.
The expression 'den Unschuldigen spielen' (to play the innocent) is particularly typical of the ironic meaning. Here, 'den Unschuldigen' (the innocent) is the accusative object of 'spielen' (to play).
Er spielte den Unschuldigen, obwohl er den ganzen Plan kannte.
He played the innocent, even though he knew the whole plan.
