misconduct
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misconduct
A mistake or violation of a rule, norm, or moral duty. It refers to an action that is regarded as wrong or inappropriate and often has negative consequences.
Seine wiederholten dienstlichen Verfehlungen führten schließlich zur Kündigung.
His repeated professional misconduct eventually led to his dismissal.
The word is derived from the verb 'verfehlen' (to miss / fail to achieve). The prefix 'ver-' often indicates that something is done incorrectly or fails. A 'Verfehlung' (misconduct) is therefore the result of an action that has 'verfehlt' (missed) its goal.
Das Verfehlen der Unternehmensziele wurde als schwere Verfehlung der Geschäftsführung gewertet.
Failing to meet the company targets was judged as serious misconduct by management.
'Verfehlung' (misconduct) is a formal word used mainly in written language and in legal, professional, or moral contexts. In everyday language, people are more likely to speak of a mistake.
Im Protokoll wurde jede einzelne Verfehlung des Beamten dokumentiert.
Every individual instance of misconduct by the official was documented in the report.
The verb 'begehen' (to commit) is often used together with this noun: 'eine Verfehlung begehen' (to commit misconduct). Typical adjectives are 'dienstlich' (professional/official), 'moralisch' (moral), or 'geringfügig' (minor).
Er hat eine schwere moralische Verfehlung begangen.
He committed serious moral misconduct.
injury / violation
Verletzung and Verfehlung can both refer to violating a regulation. Verletzung focuses on the rule or agreement that was broken, while Verfehlung evaluates the act as wrong personal conduct. Use Verletzung for a factual description and Verfehlung for evaluative criticism.
Die Verfehlung des Mitarbeiters wurde im Gespräch deutlich kritisiert.
The employee's misconduct was sharply criticized during the discussion.
Die Verletzung der Vorschrift wurde im Bericht sachlich festgehalten.
The violation of the regulation was recorded objectively in the report.
