die Untat
evil deed
A bad, reprehensible, or criminal act.
EXAMPLE
Die Untat erschütterte die gesamte Stadt.
The evil deed shocked the entire city.
die Untat
evil deed
die Untat, die Untaten
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Untat, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Untaten |
| genitive | der Untat |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Untat | die Untaten |
| accusative | die Untat | die Untaten |
| dative | der Untat | den Untaten |
| genitive | der Untat | der Untaten |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Untat' is made up of 'un-' and 'Tat' (deed). The prefix 'un-' gives the word a strongly negative evaluation: it refers to a particularly reprehensible act.
EXAMPLE
Die Untat blieb lange unaufgeklärt.
The evil deed remained unsolved for a long time.
Typical collocations
'Untat' is frequently used with verbs such as 'begehen' (to commit) and 'verüben' (to perpetrate). Combinations such as 'eine grausame Untat' (a cruel evil deed) and 'eine schreckliche Untat' (a terrible evil deed) are also common.
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei konnte nicht beweisen, wer diese schreckliche Untat verübt hatte.
The police could not prove who had perpetrated this terrible evil deed.
Elevated style
'Untat' sounds elevated and strongly judgmental and is used especially in reports, literary texts, or dramatic narratives. The word refers to an act that is judged to be particularly morally reprehensible.
EXAMPLE
Die Bewohner erinnerten sich noch Jahre später an diese Untat.
The residents still remembered this evil deed years later.
In real life
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