verdächtig

Verdächtig is a German adjective meaning giving grounds for suspicion or likely to be involved in wrongdoing. In English, it is commonly translated as suspicious or suspect. It can describe a person, behavior, or object, as in “eine verdächtige Person” (a suspicious person) or “er wirkt verdächtig” (he seems suspicious). The term is also used more broadly to denote something that appears dubious or questionable, for example, “verdächtig ruhige Bewegungen” (suspiciously calm movements).

Usage and grammar

Verdächtig is declined like a normal German adjective. With an indefinite article: “ein verdächtiger Mann,” “eine verdächtige Person.” With a definite article: “der verdächtige Mann,” “die verdächtige Person,” “die verdächtigen Bewegungen.” In plural or without a determiner, common forms include “verdächtige Personen,” “verdächtige Bewegungen.” The word can function predicatively (“Er ist verdächtig”) or in an adverbial-like construction (“sie verhält sich verdächtig ruhig”), where it modifies another adjective and expresses the degree of suspicion.

Legal and crime-related usage

In legal and policing language, the related noun forms are common: “Tatverdächtige” (crime suspect, plural) or “Tatverdächtiger” (singular, masculine). Phrases such as “unter Verdacht stehen” (to be under suspicion) and “Der Verdächtige wurde festgenommen” illustrate typical usage. The noun “Verdacht” denotes the suspicion itself, while “verdächtig” characterizes persons or acts as giving rise to that suspicion.

Etymology and nuance

Verdächtig derives from Verdacht (suspicion) with the suffix -ig, indicating a characteristic or quality related to suspicion. The term carries a neutral to cautionary tone; it does not prove guilt, but signals that suspicion is present and warrants further investigation.