Unschuldig

Unschuldig is a German adjective meaning innocent or not guilty. It describes someone who is free from guilt or a thing or statement that is harmless or without fault. In legal contexts it corresponds to not being responsible for a crime or wrongdoing; in everyday language it can denote moral innocence, naivety, or lack of fault. The opposite term is schuldig (guilty).

Etymology and related forms: Unschuldig is formed with the negative prefix un- added to schuldig (guilty). The word is cognate with Dutch onschuldig and shares roots with other West Germanic languages. The abstract noun related to the concept is Unschuld, meaning innocence or the state of being free from blame.

Usage and examples: Unschuldig can modify people, motives, or statements. Examples include: Der Angeklagte ist unschuldig (The defendant is innocent/not guilty). Eine unschuldige Frage (an innocent question). Ein unschuldiges Lächeln (an innocent smile). In broader usage it can also describe a lack of experience or exposure, as in eine unschuldige Sichtweise.

Notes on nuance: While commonly equated with moral innocence, unschuldig can also convey absence of fault in a specific incident, not necessarily a blanket character judgment. As a noun, Unschuld refers to innocence in a moral or legal sense and as a broader concept, including purity or naivety in certain contexts.

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