ungesetzlich
Translation
illegal, unlawful, illicit
Examples
Das ist eine ungesetzliche Handlung.
That is an illegal act.
Er handelte ungesetzlich.
He acted unlawfully.
Grammar Patterns
((as predicative adjective)) to be illegal That is illegal.
((before noun)) an illegal ... That is an illegal act.
((as adverb)) illegally He acted unlawfully.
Similar Words
Synonyms: illegal, rechtswidrig (unlawful); Antonyms: gesetzlich (legal), legal, erlaubt (allowed)
Etymology
Composed of the prefix un- (not) + gesetzlich (legal), from das Gesetz (the law). It literally means 'not according to law'.
Memory Tips
Think of 'das Gesetz' as 'the law'. The 'un-' prefix flips the meaning to its opposite, 'illegal'.