Skip to content

Meineid

perjury

noun MYN-ayt Rare

Usage Note

Meineid (§ 154 StGB) is making a deliberately false statement under oath; it carries a minimum sentence of one year imprisonment. Witnesses who are uncertain can ask to testify without oath to avoid this risk.

Examples

"Er wurde wegen Meineids zu einem Jahr auf Bewährung verurteilt."

Natural Translation

He was convicted of perjury and given a one-year suspended sentence.

Literal Translation

He was because-of perjury to a year on probation sentenced.

Free starter pack

Building your German vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common German words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Explore German by topic