verurteilt
convicted
Describes a person who has been found guilty of a crime by a court. It is the result of a court judgment.
EXAMPLE
Der verurteilte Dieb musste für zwei Jahre ins Gefängnis.
The convicted thief had to go to prison for two years.
verurteilt
convicted / condemned
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
verurteilt sein zu
condemned to
A figurative expression meaning to be forced to do something or exposed to an inescapable fate.
EXAMPLE
Wegen des Streiks waren die Reisenden zum Warten verurteilt.
Because of the strike, the travelers were condemned to waiting.
Usage tips
Participle as adjective
'Verurteilt' (convicted/condemned) is the past participle of the verb 'verurteilen' (to convict/condemn). It is often used like an adjective before a noun to describe a person who has received a court judgment.
EXAMPLE
Der verurteilte Betrüger zeigte keine Reue.
The convicted fraudster showed no remorse.
Important prepositions
In a legal context, 'verurteilen' (to convict/sentence) is often followed by the preposition 'zu' with the dative for the punishment, and 'wegen' with the genitive for the crime.
EXAMPLE
Er wurde zu einer Bewährungsstrafe verurteilt.
He was sentenced to probation.
Figurative use
The fixed expression 'zu etwas verurteilt sein' (to be condemned to something) describes a negative situation that one cannot escape. It expresses a feeling of powerlessness or compulsion.
EXAMPLE
Ohne Internetverbindung war er zur Untätigkeit verurteilt.
Without an internet connection, he was condemned to inactivity.
Context clue
You can recognize the legal meaning from the context of court, punishment, or crime. You can recognize the figurative meaning by the fact that the 'punishment' is an everyday, negative activity such as waiting or staying silent.
EXAMPLE
Der Angeklagte wurde zu einer Geldstrafe verurteilt.
The defendant was sentenced to a fine.
Compare with
verurteilt vs verdammt
damn / damned
“Verdammt sein” and “verurteilt sein zu” can both describe an unavoidable negative fate. In the meanings given here, however, “verdammt” refers to eternal punishment in hell, while “verurteilt sein zu” generally and figuratively expresses being forced into something or facing an inevitable fate.
verurteilt
Ohne Hilfe ist er zu einem Leben in völliger Einsamkeit verurteilt.
Without help, he is condemned to a life of complete loneliness.
verdammt
In der Sage ist seine Seele zu ewiger Qual verdammt.
In the legend, his soul is condemned to eternal torment.
In real life
Loading video examples...