criminal
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criminal
A person who has committed one or more serious crimes.
Die Polizei konnte den gefährlichen Verbrecher nach einer langen Verfolgungsjagd festnehmen.
The police were able to arrest the dangerous criminal after a long chase.
A 'Verbrecher' (criminal) is a person who commits a 'Verbrechen' (crime). Both words belong to the word family around the verb 'brechen' (to break), in the sense of 'das Gesetz brechen' (to break the law).
Einbruch ist ein schweres Verbrechen.
Burglary is a serious crime.
This word is used for people who have committed serious crimes, such as robbery, murder, or fraud. It is not used for minor offenses like illegal parking.
Der Mann war ein international gesuchter Verbrecher.
The man was an internationally wanted criminal.
Common verbs used in connection with 'Verbrecher' (criminal) are 'fassen' (to catch), 'verhaften' (to arrest), 'jagen' (to hunt), and 'überführen' (to convict/prove guilty).
Die Polizei hat den Verbrecher auf frischer Tat ertappt.
The police caught the criminal in the act.
perpetrator / culprit
Both words can refer to a person after a serious crime. „Der Täter“ focuses primarily on the specific act and remains matter-of-fact. „Der Verbrecher“ refers to the person more generally and is clearly more judgmental, especially in the case of one or more serious crimes. „Täter“ is usually appropriate in a report, while „Verbrecher“ is more of a general judgment.
Nach mehreren schweren Überfällen gilt der Mann als gefährlicher Verbrecher.
After several serious robberies, the man is considered a dangerous criminal.
Die Polizei sucht den Täter, der gestern den Laden überfallen hat.
The police are looking for the perpetrator who robbed the store yesterday.
