to suspect
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to suspect
To believe or assume that someone is responsible for a negative or criminal act, without having final proof of it.
Die Polizei verdächtigt den Nachbarn, das Fahrrad gestohlen zu haben.
The police suspect the neighbor of having stolen the bicycle.
This verb is often constructed with an accusative object (the suspected person) and a genitive object (the act). Alternatively, a 'wegen' (because of / on account of) construction is often used.
Man verdächtigt ihn des Diebstahls.
They suspect him of theft.
Instead of the genitive, a subordinate clause with 'dass' (that) or an infinitive construction with 'zu' (to) is very often used to describe the suspected act.
Sie verdächtigt ihn, das Geld genommen zu haben.
She suspects him of having taken the money.
The verb 'verdächtigen' (to suspect) belongs to a word family with the noun 'der Verdacht' (suspicion) and the adjective 'verdächtig' (suspicious). All three words revolve around the idea of suspecting a crime.
Sein verdächtiges Verhalten führte dazu, dass der Verdacht auf ihn fiel.
His suspicious behavior led to suspicion falling on him.
to burden / charge
'belasten' and 'verdächtigen' can both have to do with guilt or a possible crime. 'verdächtigen' is used when someone believes that a person has done something negative or criminal, but does not yet have definite proof. 'belasten' fits when a statement or piece of evidence speaks against that person and makes them seem more suspicious. Learners may confuse the words because both occur in police or court situations. A practical guide: a person suspects someone; a piece of evidence or a statement incriminates someone.
Nach dem Diebstahl verdächtigte die Polizei einen Mitarbeiter.
After the theft, the police suspected an employee.
Die neue Zeugenaussage belastet den Fahrer stark.
The new witness statement strongly incriminates the driver.