unerlaubt

Unerlaubt is a German adjective meaning not permitted, prohibited, or unauthorized. It describes actions, behaviors, or conditions that fall outside the rules, laws, or permissions that apply in a given context. The term is formed from erlaubt (permitted) with the negating prefix un-, conveying a negative judgment about legality or acceptability.

In everyday use, unerlaubt often appears in notices, signs, and descriptions of restricted conduct. For example, a private property may state that entry is unerlaubt, or a municipal rule may prohibit illegal dumping described as unerlaubte Abfallentsorgung. The word is commonly used to distinguish between what is allowed and what is not, without specifying the exact legal consequence.

In legal language, unerlaubt occurs in several domains. The phrase unerlaubte Handlung refers to a civil-law concept of a wrongful act that gives rise to damages under the German Civil Code (BGB), typically treated as a tort. This usage contrasts with criminal offenses, which are prosecuted under criminal law. The adjective also forms compound terms such as unerlaubte Einreise (unauthorized entry) or unerlaubter Waffenbesitz (illegal possession of weapons), indicating violations of rules or laws in specific contexts.

Related terms include erlaubt (permitted), Verbot (ban), and unzulässig (inadmissible or impermissible in procedural contexts). While unerlaubt broadly signals prohibition, the exact implications—civil liability, administrative penalties, or criminal sanctions—depend on the governing legal framework and the nature of the prohibited conduct.