das  Vernehmen

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/fɛɐ̯ˈneːmən/

👂 What exactly is "das Vernehmen"?

Das Vernehmen is a German noun with several, mostly formal meanings. It derives from the verb vernehmen (to hear, to question, to perceive).

• Meaning 1: The (official) questioning or hearing 🧑‍⚖️: This is often used in a legal or administrative context. It refers to the act of officially questioning someone (e.g., a witness, a suspect) to obtain information. Example: Das Vernehmen des Zeugen dauerte mehrere Stunden. (The questioning of the witness lasted several hours.)
• Meaning 2: The hearing or perception (rare as a noun) 🔊: It can also simply mean the (conscious) hearing or taking note of something, but it's less common in this noun form than the verb.
• Meaning 3: The agreement or understanding 👍: Often in the phrase "im (guten) Vernehmen mit jemandem" (in (good) agreement with someone). This means in accordance, in mutual understanding. Example: Die Entscheidung wurde im Vernehmen mit allen Beteiligten getroffen. (The decision was made in agreement with all parties involved.)

🚨 Important: The noun is almost exclusively used with the article "das" and refers to the process or state.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "das Vernehmen" in Detail

Das Vernehmen is a nominalized verb (from vernehmen) and therefore neuter (sächlich). It follows the strong declension pattern. It is almost exclusively used in the singular.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Das polizeiliche Vernehmen des Verdächtigen zog sich hin.
   (The police questioning of the suspect dragged on.) - Nominative (questioning)
2. Wir warten auf das Ergebnis des Vernehmens.
   (We are waiting for the result of the hearing/questioning.) - Genitive (questioning)
3. Bei dem Vernehmen kamen neue Fakten ans Licht.
   (During the hearing/questioning, new facts came to light.) - Dative (questioning)
4. Die Angelegenheit wurde im guten Vernehmen mit dem Betriebsrat geregelt.
   (The matter was settled in good agreement with the works council.) - Dative (agreement)
5. Der Richter ordnete das Vernehmen weiterer Zeugen an.
   (The judge ordered the questioning of further witnesses.) - Accusative (questioning)

🗣️ When and how to use "das Vernehmen"?

The use of das Vernehmen is mostly restricted to formal contexts:

• Law and Administration 🏛️: Here, it's a standard term for official questionings and hearings (die Vernehmung is a more common synonym here for the individual act). Example: Die Staatsanwaltschaft leitete das Vernehmen ein. (The public prosecutor's office initiated the questioning.)
• Formal Agreements 🤝: The phrase "im Vernehmen mit" expresses that an action or decision is taken in accordance or with the consent of another party. Example: Die Änderungen wurden im Vernehmen mit der Geschäftsführung vorgenommen. (The changes were made in agreement with the management.)

Distinction from similar words:

• Hören vs. Vernehmen: Hören is the general act of perceiving sound. Vernehmen (as a verb) often implies more conscious, attentive, or official hearing/questioning.
• Verständnis vs. Vernehmen: Verständnis refers to comprehension or insight. Vernehmen in the sense of agreement refers to accord or consent between parties.
• Vernehmung vs. Vernehmen: Die Vernehmung usually refers more specifically to the individual act of questioning. Das Vernehmen can also refer to this process, but also to the state of agreement.

💡 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic (das): Nominalized verbs (verbs turned into nouns) in German are almost always neuter ('das'). Think: vernehmen (to hear/question) becomes das Vernehmen, just like laufen (to run) becomes das Laufen, or essen (to eat) becomes das Essen. It describes a process or state – THAT ('das') is the case for das Vernehmen.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a judge ('Amtsperson') saying: "I need to vernehmen the truth!" – connecting it to the meaning of questioning/hearing (das Vernehmen). And when all parties have 'vernommen' (heard/understood) the same thing, they are im Vernehmen (in agreement).

↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms for das Vernehmen

⚠️ Similar but Different Words

• vernehmbar (adjective): audible, perceptible. Example: ein kaum vernehmbares Geräusch (a barely audible sound). Refers purely to audibility.
• Vernehmung (noun, feminine): Often refers more concretely to the specific act of questioning. Example: die Vernehmung des Zeugen (the questioning of the witness).

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Haben Sie etwas zu Ihrer Verteidigung zu sagen?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Ja, Herr Richter, ich war beim besten Willen nicht zu vernehmen, dass die Bank geschlossen hatte – die Tür war offen!"

(Judge asks the defendant: "Do you have anything to say in your defense?"
Defendant replies: "Yes, Your Honor, with the best will in the world, I couldn't perceive ('vernehmen') that the bank was closed – the door was open!")

(This is a pun using "vernehmen" in the sense of 'to perceive' or 'to notice'.)

📜 A Poem about Vernehmen

Im Saal, ganz still, beginnt das Vernehmen,
Ein Zeuge spricht, man will's genau aufnehmen.
Jedes Wort zählt, wird sorgsam bedacht,
Bis Klarheit endlich ist vollbracht.

Doch auch im Stillen, leis' und sacht,
Wird oft im guten Vernehmen gemacht,
Was zwei Parteien friedlich eint,
Wenn Einigkeit am Horizont erscheint.

Translation:

In the hall, quite still, the hearing starts to bloom,
A witness speaks, notes taken in the room.
Each word counts, considered with great care,
Until clarity finally is there.

But also quietly, gentle and slight,
Often in good agreement, things are made right,
What peacefully unites two sides,
When unity on the horizon rides.

🕵️‍♀️ Who or What am I? A Riddle

Ich habe keinen Mund, doch ich befrage Leute.
Ich habe keine Ohren, doch schaffe Einigkeit heute.
Im Gerichtssaal bin ich oft zu Haus,
Und bringe manchmal die Wahrheit heraus.
Man braucht mich oft im Konsens fein, Was kann ich wohl sein?

Translation:

I have no mouth, yet I question folk.
I have no ears, yet agreement I invoke.
In courtrooms, I often reside,
And sometimes bring the truth outside.
Needed often for consensus fine,
What could I possibly be, this sign?

Solution: Das Vernehmen (the hearing/questioning/agreement)

🧩 Other Information

Word Origin & Composition:

Das Vernehmen is the nominalization (Substantivierung) of the verb vernehmen. The verb itself comes from Old High German farneman, which originally meant "to take away", then "to take in mentally", "to understand", and "to hear". The prefix ver- here intensifies the meaning of taking in or denotes a purposeful action (as in questioning).

Interesting Fact: The legal meaning has become strongly established over the centuries and is now the most dominant association with the noun.