Verfehlung

Verfehlung is a German noun that denotes a transgression, fault, or failure to meet a standard. It covers acts or omissions that fall short of what is expected in moral, professional, or legal contexts, and can be used for personal wrongdoing as well as breaches of duty. In everyday language, a Verfehlung can refer to a misstep in behavior, a lapse in judgment, or missing a target in sport or practice.

Etymology and sense: The word is formed from the verb verfehlen, meaning to miss or fail to hit, with the noun-forming suffix -ung. This gives the sense of “the act of missing” or “the failure to meet.”

Legal and professional usage: In legal language, Verfehlung is a broad, non-technical term describing fault or breach without necessarily implying a crime. It is often contrasted with Verbrechen (crime) and Vergehen (offense), and with administrative offenses (Ordnungswidrigkeit). In civil and administrative law, Verfehlung can refer to breach of duty, negligence, or professional malpractice, potentially giving rise to liability or disciplinary measures depending on jurisdiction and context.

Examples and nuance: Because the term is broad, its precise meaning depends on context. A Verfehlung der Sorgfaltspflicht denotes a breach of due care; Verfehlung gegenüber einer Person signals a moral fault; in sport, a Verfehlung may mean a missed shot or target.

See also Schuld, Fehlverhalten, Vergehen, Verbrechen.