Ordnungswidrigkeit

From ordnungswidrig (“contrary to [public] order”) +‎ -keit (“-ness, -ty”). Further analysable as Ordnung (“order”) +‎ -s- +‎ widrig (“contrary”) +‎ -keit.

• IPA^(key): /ˈɔrdnʊŋsˌviːdrɪçkaɪ̯t/, [ˈʔɔʁ.dnʊŋ(k)sˌviː.dʁɪç.kaɪ̯t], [ˈʔɔʁt.nʊŋ(k)s-], [ˈʔɔɐ̯-], [-ˌʋiː-]

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• Hyphenation: Ord‧nungs‧wid‧rig‧keit

Ordnungswidrigkeit f (genitive Ordnungswidrigkeit, plural Ordnungswidrigkeiten)

1. (Germany) infraction, contravention (an illegal but non-criminal deed, often subject to a civil penalty, e.g. speeding)

   Synonym: (Austria) Verwaltungsdelikt

• The term is sometimes comparable to that of misdemeanor in US law, but must be distinguished. A misdemeanor is a lesser crime, while an Ordnungswidrigkeit is considered entirely outside the realm of crime.

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• “Ordnungswidrigkeit” in Duden online