conviction

kənˈvɪkʃən

Conviction carries two distinct meanings in English. It can refer to a deeply held personal belief or the convincing certainty with which someone speaks. In legal contexts, it denotes a formal finding of guilt in criminal proceedings. The right German equivalent depends entirely on context.

1. Überzeugung

Used when conviction means a firmly held belief, personal principle, or the quality of certainty with which someone speaks or acts.

She argued her case with such conviction that even her opponents were moved.
Sie trug ihr Anliegen mit solcher Überzeugung vor, dass selbst ihre Gegner bewegt waren.
His political convictions had shaped every major decision of his career.
Seine politischen Überzeugungen hatten jede wichtige Entscheidung seiner Karriere geprägt.
I find it hard to say that with any conviction.
Es fällt mir schwer, das mit echter Überzeugung zu sagen.

2. Verurteilung · legal

The standard legal term for a formal finding of guilt in criminal proceedings, covering both the verdict and the resulting sentence.

The conviction was overturned on appeal after new evidence came to light.
Die Verurteilung wurde in der Berufungsinstanz aufgehoben, nachdem neue Beweise auftauchten.
A criminal conviction can have lasting consequences for employment prospects.
Eine strafrechtliche Verurteilung kann langfristige Folgen für die Beschäftigungschancen haben.

Notes

In legal contexts, 'prior conviction' is best rendered as 'Vorstrafe' rather than the literal 'frühere Verurteilung', as the former is the standard shorthand in German criminal law. When conviction describes the quality of delivery ('he spoke with conviction'), 'Entschiedenheit', 'Nachdruck', or 'Überzeugungskraft' can be more idiomatic than the bare 'Überzeugung', depending on register.

Synonyms

belief certainty assurance persuasion principle

Related phrases

convict convince acquittal guilty plea belief doubt sentence