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Geständnis

confession; admission of guilt

noun ge-SHTEND-nis Rare
People & Society Crime

Usage Note

Geständnis is a formal confession to a crime or wrongdoing. Ein Geständnis ablegen means to make a confession. A volles Geständnis (full confession) can mitigate sentencing under German law.

Examples

"Der Verdächtige legte noch in der ersten Vernehmung ein Geständnis ab."

Natural Translation

The suspect made a confession already during the first questioning.

Literal Translation

The suspect laid already in the first questioning a confession down.

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