der  Gewahrsam

🔍 What does 'der Gewahrsam' mean?

Der Gewahrsam generally refers to the actual control or dominion over a thing or person. It often carries a legal or official connotation.

• Safekeeping/Custody: The secure keeping of an item or the custody of a person (e.g., Fundgegenstände in polizeilichem Gewahrsam - lost property in police custody).
• Detention/Arrest: Especially in legal jargon, it refers to the temporary arrest or detention of a person by the police or other authorities (e.g., polizeilicher Gewahrsam zur Gefahrenabwehr - police custody for preventive reasons or to establish identity).

⚠️ It's important to consider the context, as the meaning can vary between secure storage and deprivation of liberty.

📜 Grammar & Declension: Understanding 'der Gewahrsam'

The noun 'Gewahrsam' is masculine: der Gewahrsam. It is almost exclusively used in the singular. A plural form ('die Gewahrsame') is uncommon and practically non-existent.

In many fixed phrases, it is used without an article or in the dative/genitive case.

Example Sentences

• Die Polizei nahm den Verdächtigen in Gewahrsam.
  (The police took the suspect into custody.)
• Die Fundsachen befinden sich in sicherem Gewahrsam.
  (The lost items are in safe keeping / secure custody.)
• Er wurde aus dem polizeilichen Gewahrsam entlassen.
  (He was released from police custody.)
• Die Ausübung des Gewahrsams über das Kind wurde geregelt.
  (The exercise of custody over the child was regulated.)

💡 How to Use 'der Gewahrsam' Correctly

The term 'Gewahrsam' belongs more to formal language, especially in legal and official contexts.

• Legal Context: Frequently used in connection with police, judiciary, and authorities. Example: 'In Gewahrsam nehmen' means to arrest or detain someone. 'Unter Gewahrsam stellen' can refer to people or things.
• Safekeeping of Objects: Less common, but possible when referring to secure, official storage. Example: 'Die Dokumente sind in unserem Gewahrsam.' (The documents are in our custody/safekeeping.)

Distinction from similar words:

• Haft: Refers more specifically to deprivation of liberty based on a court order (e.g., pre-trial detention, imprisonment). 'Gewahrsam' can also be a shorter-term, preventive measure.
• Verwahrung/Aufbewahrung: These terms are more general and less formal than 'Gewahrsam'. They usually refer to securing items without a necessary legal background.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Gewahrsam'

Article Mnemonic: Think of der Polizist (the policeman), der Richter (the judge) – often masculine figures associated with taking someone into custody. The word feels masculine -> der Gewahrsam.

Meaning Mnemonic: Connect it to 'aware' (gewahr) and 'safe'. You are aware that you are keeping something safe or under control. You watch over it ('wahr') carefully ('-sam').

↔️ Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Terms

Similar but Different Terms (Careful!)

• Gewähr: Means 'guarantee' or 'warranty' (e.g., ohne Gewähr - without guarantee). Don't confuse!
• Gewahr werden: Means 'to become aware of', 'to notice'.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Waren Sie schon einmal in Gewahrsam?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Nein, Herr Richter, nur in Untersuchungshaft!"

(The judge asks the defendant: "Have you ever been in custody (Gewahrsam)?"
The defendant replies: "No, Your Honor, only in pre-trial detention (Untersuchungshaft)!" - It's a play on words, as pre-trial detention is a form of Gewahrsam.)

🎤 A Poem about Custody

Hinter Gittern, kalt und grau,
endet oft die wilde Schau.
Der Gewahrsam, streng und fest,
hält dich sicher, gibt dir Rast?
Nein, die Freiheit ruft so laut,
hat dir jemand sie geklaut?
Ob Person, ob altes Ding,
sicher sei's, das ist der Sinn.

(Behind bars, cold and grey,
often ends the wild display.
Custody, strict and tight,
keeps you safe, gives you respite?
No, freedom calls so loud,
has someone stolen it from the crowd?
Whether person, or old thing,
let it be secure, that's the meaning.)

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Ort, doch ohne festes Haus,
manchmal kurz, manchmal schaut man nicht mehr raus.
Die Polizei kennt mich gut, das ist wahr,
ich halte fest, was war oder wer da war.
Ich bin männlich, das sei dir bekannt.

Was bin ich, hier im deutschen Land?

(I am a place, but without a fixed house,
Sometimes short, sometimes one doesn't look out anymore.
The police know me well, that is true,
I hold fast what was or who was there too.
I am masculine, be aware of that strand.

What am I, here in the German land?)

Solution: Der Gewahrsam (Custody)

ℹ️ Trivia and Origin

Word Formation:
'Gewahrsam' derives from Middle High German 'gewarsam', meaning 'careful', 'cautious'. It's formed from the adjective 'gewahr' (in the sense of 'aware', 'mindful') with the suffix '-sam'. The current meaning of actual control over a thing/person developed later.

Legal Significance:
In German law, the term 'Gewahrsam' is clearly defined, especially in police law (e.g., Polizeigewahrsam zur Gefahrenabwehr - police custody for preventative purposes) and civil procedure law (e.g., Gewahrsam des Gerichtsvollziehers - custody of the bailiff over seized items).