die  Entführung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɛntˈfyːʁʊŋ/

📜 What exactly is 'die Entführung'?

Die Entführung (feminine noun) means abduction or kidnapping. It refers to the unlawful act of taking a person to another location against their will, often involving deprivation of liberty and sometimes ransom demands or political motives. It is a serious crime.

In a broader, less common sense, it can also mean the unauthorized taking or withholding of an object, but this usage is mostly metaphorical (e.g., die Entführung von Ideen - the abduction/hijacking of ideas).

🚨 Important: The term has strong negative connotations and always describes an illegal act.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of 'die Entführung'

The word "Entführung" is a feminine noun. The article is die.

Declension:

Example Sentences

• Die Polizei untersucht die Entführung des Geschäftsmannes. (The police are investigating the abduction of the businessman.)
• Entführungen sind leider weltweit ein Problem. (Unfortunately, abductions are a problem worldwide.)
• Er wurde wegen versuchter Entführung angeklagt. (He was charged with attempted kidnapping.)

🌐 How is 'Entführung' used?

The term die Entführung is mainly used in the context of crime and law.

• Criminal Context: The most common use refers to the kidnapping of people, often for ransom (Kindesentführung - child abduction, Flugzeugentführung - hijacking).
• Political Context: Sometimes people are abducted for political reasons (politische Entführung - political abduction).
• Figurative Use: Less commonly, it can be used metaphorically, e.g., "die Entführung einer Idee" (the hijacking of an idea) or "die Entführung in eine andere Welt" (being carried away into another world, in the sense of captivating), but be careful, this can be misleading.

The corresponding verb is entführen (to abduct, to kidnap).

Comparison: While 'Entführung' often implies a longer period of captivity and removal to a secret location, 'Verschleppung' can also mean forcible removal without specific demands. 'Geiselnahme' (hostage-taking) specifically refers to holding people to enforce demands.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Entführung'

Article Mnemonic: Feminine nouns often end in "-ung" in German, like die Rechnung (the bill), die Wohnung (the apartment), and die Entführung. Think of the phrase "She leads the escape after die Entführung" (using 'she' for feminine 'die').

Meaning Mnemonic: The prefix ent- often means 'away' and führen means 'to lead'. So, entführen is 'to lead away' against someone's will – an Entführung (abduction).

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words: 'Verführung' sounds similar but means seduction or temptation, and has nothing to do with forceful abduction.

😄 A little joke

Warum wurde der Bleistift entführt?
Er hatte zu viele Spitzen Bemerkungen gemacht! 😉

(Why was the pencil abducted/kidnapped?
Because it had made too many sharp/pointed remarks!)

✍️ Poem about Abduction

Im Schatten lauert, kalt und bang,
Ein Plan, verborgen, dunkel, lang.
Ein Griff, ein Schrei, im Schutze tief,
Die Freiheit jäh im Kummer schlief.
Die Entführung, Tat voll Not,
Bringt Angst und Furcht, bedroht mit Tod.
Doch Hoffnung glimmt, ein schwacher Schein,
Auf Rettung, bald, und wieder frei zu sein.

(In shadow lurks, cold and afraid,
A plan, concealed, dark, long-delayed.
A grab, a scream, in cover deep,
Freedom abruptly fell asleep.
The abduction, deed full of need,
Brings fear and dread, threatens with death indeed.
But hope still gleams, a faint light shown,
For rescue soon, and freedom to be known.)

🕵️‍♀️ Little Riddle

Ich nehme dich mit, doch nicht zum Spaß,
Gegen deinen Willen, irgendwohin, ins Ungewisse, nass.
Die Polizei sucht, die Familie weint,
Ich bin ein Verbrechen, das oft schlimm erscheint.

Was bin ich?
Lösung: die Entführung

(I take you away, but not for fun,
Against your will, somewhere, into the unknown, outrun.
The police search, the family cries,
I am a crime that often horrifies.

What am I?

Solution: die Entführung / abduction)

💡 Other Information about Entführung

Word Composition:

The word "Entführung" is composed of:

• ent-: Prefix often indicating separation, removal, or the start of an action (here: away-)
• führen: Verb meaning 'to lead', 'to guide', 'to bring'
• -ung: Suffix used to form nouns from verbs, usually feminine.

Cultural Context: Abductions (Entführungen) are unfortunately a recurring theme in news, films, and literature, highlighting the severity and societal relevance of this crime.