die Tat
Translation
deed, act, action, crime
Examples
Eine gute Tat verdient Lob.
A good deed deserves praise.
Er wurde am Ort der Tat verhaftet.
He was arrested at the scene of the crime.
Auf Worte müssen Taten folgen.
Actions must follow words.
Grammar Patterns
eine Tat begehen to commit a deed/act He committed a terrible act.
j-n auf frischer Tat ertappen to catch sb. red-handed The police caught the thief red-handed.
Similar Words
Handlung (action), Werk (work/deed); Antonyms: Wort (word)
Etymology
From Old High German 'tāt', related to the verb 'tun' (to do).
Memory Tips
A 'Tat' is what you 'do' ('tun'). Think of the English phrase 'tit for tat' - a deed for a deed.