unlawful
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unlawful
Describes an action that violates applicable law or a legal norm and is therefore illegal or unlawful.
Das widerrechtliche Parken auf dem Behindertenparkplatz wird mit einem hohen Bußgeld geahndet.
Unlawful parking in the disabled parking space is punished with a high fine.
The word is made up of the prefix 'wider' (against), the noun 'das Recht' (the law / right), and the adjective ending '-lich' (-ly / -ful). So it literally means 'against the law'.
Es ist widerrechtlich, urheberrechtlich geschützte Inhalte ohne Erlaubnis zu verbreiten.
It is unlawful to distribute copyrighted content without permission.
'Widerrechtlich' (unlawful) is a formal word used mainly in legal and official language. It is more precise and more formal than 'verboten' (forbidden) or 'illegal' (illegal).
Die Firma wurde verklagt, weil sie sich Firmeneigentum widerrechtlich angeeignet hatte.
The company was sued because it had unlawfully appropriated company property.
The word can be used as an adjective before a noun or as an adverb to describe a verb. The form does not change, except when it is declined as an adjective.
Das Betreten des Grundstücks war eine widerrechtliche Handlung.
Entering the property was an unlawful act.
illegal
Illegal and widerrechtlich both refer to a violation of applicable law. Illegal is common in everyday language. Widerrechtlich sounds more legalistic and emphasizes that an action contradicts a legal norm.
Im juristischen Bericht wird das heimliche Kopieren der Daten als widerrechtlich bezeichnet.
The legal report describes the secret copying of the data as unlawful.
Im Gespräch nennt Paul das heimliche Kopieren der Daten illegal.
In conversation, Paul calls the secret copying of the data illegal.
