01
der Verdacht
suspicion
An assumption without certain proof that someone has done something illegal or wrong.
example
Gegen den Mann besteht der Verdacht des Diebstahls.
The man is under suspicion of theft.
der Verdacht
suspicion
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
'Der Verdacht' (suspicion) belongs to a word family with the verb 'jemanden verdächtigen' (to suspect someone) and the adjective 'verdächtig' (suspicious). All three words refer to the assumption that something is not right.
EXAMPLE
Sein Verhalten war sehr verdächtig.
His behavior was very suspicious.
Correct preposition
To express what the suspicion refers to, German uses the preposition 'auf' followed by the accusative. This construction is very common.
EXAMPLE
Es besteht der Verdacht auf Betrug.
There is suspicion of fraud.
Fixed expression
A very important fixed expression is 'unter Verdacht stehen' (to be under suspicion). It means that a person is suspected by others.
EXAMPLE
Seit dem Diebstahl steht er unter Verdacht.
Since the theft, he has been under suspicion.
Typical collocations
In a legal context, there are fixed verb-noun combinations such as 'Verdacht schöpfen' (to start suspecting something) or 'einen Verdacht hegen' (to harbor a suspicion). When a suspicion becomes stronger, 'erhärtet er sich' (it is substantiated).
EXAMPLE
Als sie die zerbrochene Scheibe sah, schöpfte sie sofort Verdacht.
When she saw the broken window, she immediately became suspicious.
Compare with
Verdacht vs Ahnung
hunch / idea
'die Ahnung' and 'der Verdacht' can both mean a suspicion or assumption, that is, something you do not know for sure. But 'Ahnung' is often an indefinite feeling or a premonition. It does not have to be anything bad. 'Verdacht' sounds stronger and more serious: you think that someone may have done something wrong, or, in medicine, that an illness is present. Learners may confuse the words because both are used without definite proof. In practice: for a gut feeling, you are more likely to say 'Ahnung'; for police matters, guilt, or illness, you are more likely to say 'Verdacht'.
Verdacht
Nach dem Gespräch im Büro hatte Erik den Verdacht, dass jemand Geld aus der Kasse genommen hatte.
After the conversation in the office, Erik suspected that someone had taken money from the cash register.
Ahnung
Sie hatte heute im Zug die Ahnung, dass der Termin ausfallen würde.
Today on the train, she had a hunch that the appointment would be canceled.
In real life
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