Mistenktes

Mistenktes is a Danish term referring to the passive past tense form of the verb mistænke, meaning to suspect. It is used in Danish to indicate that someone was suspected by authorities or others of a crime or wrongdoing. The form functions as a finite verb in the passive voice and is typically used in formal or reported speech.

In Danish, the present passive is mistenkes (“is suspected”) and the past passive is mistenktes (“was suspected”). The agent causing the suspicion is often expressed with by or af, as in “personen blev mistænkt af politiet” or “personen mistenktes af politiet for tyveri.” The sentence structure commonly places the subject before the passive form, as in “Han mistenktes for bedrageri.” The phrase does not imply guilt; it states that an accusation or suspicion existed at a point in time.

In related Scandinavian languages, cognate forms exist. Swedish uses misstänks (present) and misstänktes (past), while Norwegian uses mistänkes/mistenkes and mistänktes in similar contexts. Outside the region, English equivalents include “is suspected” and “was suspected.”

Mistenktes is typically encountered in legal reporting, news coverage, and formal writing. It should be used with care to avoid implying guilt before a formal determination.