die Ordnungswidrigkeit
Translation
regulatory offense, minor offense, infraction
Examples
Falschparken ist eine Ordnungswidrigkeit.
Illegal parking is a minor offense.
Er musste ein Bußgeld dafür zahlen.
He had to pay a fine for it.
Grammar Patterns
to commit a minor offense He committed a minor offense.
Similar Words
Synonyms: Verstoß (violation), Vergehen (misdemeanour)
Etymology
A compound word: 'Ordnung' (order) + '-s-' (linking element) + 'widrig' (contrary to) + '-keit' (noun suffix). Literally 'contrary-to-orderness'.
Memory Tips
Break it down: 'Ordnungs-widrig-keit' = 'Order-contrary-ness'. It's an act that goes against public order, less severe than a crime.