die
Festnahme
👮♀️ What does "die Festnahme" mean?
Die Festnahme (feminine) refers to the act of detaining or taking a person into custody by an authorized authority, typically the police or other security forces. In English, this translates to arrest or apprehension. It is a temporary measure to secure criminal proceedings or to avert danger.
Essentially, it means someone's freedom is temporarily taken away, usually due to suspicion of a crime.
⚠️ It's important to distinguish die Festnahme from a Verhaftung, which often requires an arrest warrant (Haftbefehl), although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably in everyday language.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
📝 Grammar in Detail: Die Festnahme
The word "Festnahme" is a feminine noun. Its article is die.
Declension of "die Festnahme"
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Festnahme |
| Genitive | der | Festnahme |
| Dative | der | Festnahme |
| Accusative | die | Festnahme |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Festnahmen |
| Genitive | der | Festnahmen |
| Dative | den | Festnahmen |
| Accusative | die | Festnahmen |
Example Sentences
- Die Polizei bestätigte die Festnahme des Verdächtigen am Tatort.
(The police confirmed the arrest of the suspect at the crime scene.) - Nach der Festnahme wurde der Mann zur Wache gebracht.
(After the arrest, the man was taken to the station.) - Die Medien berichteten ausführlich über die Festnahmen nach der Demonstration.
(The media reported extensively on the arrests after the demonstration.) - Der Anwalt prüft die Rechtmäßigkeit der Festnahme seines Mandanten.
(The lawyer is checking the legality of his client's arrest.)
💡 How to use "Festnahme"
The term die Festnahme is primarily used in legal, police, and media contexts when reporting on the apprehension of individuals by state authorities.
- Typical Collocations:
- zur Festnahme führen (to lead to an arrest)
- eine Festnahme durchführen/vornehmen (to carry out/make an arrest)
- sich der Festnahme widersetzen (to resist arrest)
- die vorläufige Festnahme (the preliminary arrest)
- nach der Festnahme (after the arrest)
- Context: Often mentioned in connection with crimes (Straftaten), investigations (Ermittlungen), or danger prevention (Gefahrenabwehr).
- Distinction: As mentioned, it should be distinguished from Verhaftung (often with a warrant) and Ingewahrsamnahme (custody, can also be preventive), although the boundaries can blur in common usage.
🧠 Mnemonics for "die Festnahme"
Article Mnemonic (die)
Think: Die police (die Polizei) make die Festnahme. Many German nouns ending in -e are feminine ('die'). Or imagine die Handcuff (die Handschelle - also feminine) clicking shut – part of a Festnahme.
Meaning Mnemonic (Arrest)
Imagine someone being held fest ('firmly') and then being 'taken' (genommen from nehmen) – that's the Festnahme. 'Firm-take' = arrest.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Festnahme
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- die Verhaftung: Often used synonymously, sometimes more specific for arrest based on a warrant (Haftbefehl).
- die Ergreifung: Emphasizes the act of catching, the physical grasp.
- die Gefangennahme: 'Capture', more common in military or historical contexts.
- die Ingewahrsamnahme: 'Taking into custody', a broader term, can also be preventive (e.g., heavily intoxicated individuals).
- der Zugriff: Often refers to the moment of action/apprehension by forces.
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- die Freilassung: The release from detention.
- die Entlassung (aus dem Gewahrsam): 'Discharge' (from custody), similar to release.
- die Flucht: The escape before or during an arrest.
🚨 Caution: Verhaftung is often seen as a direct synonym, but can have a narrower legal meaning.
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Warum haben Sie sich Ihrer Festnahme widersetzt?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Ich hatte Angst, Sie würden mich freisprechen!"
Translation:
The judge asks the defendant: "Why did you resist arrest?"
The defendant replies: "I was afraid you would acquit me!"
📜 Poem about an Arrest
Blaulicht blitzt in dunkler Nacht,
Ein Schatten huscht, nicht lang bedacht.
Schnelle Schritte, fester Griff,
Ein kurzer Kampf am Felsenriff?
Nein, in der Stadt, ganz ohne Frage,
Endet hier die Ganovenklage.
Die Festnahme, schnell vollbracht,
Der Freiheit Ende über Nacht.
Translation:
Flashing blue light in the dark night,
A shadow scurries, without much thought.
Quick steps, a firm grip,
A short struggle on a cliff?
No, in the city, without a doubt,
Here ends the crook's lament.
The arrest, quickly done,
Freedom's end overnight.
❓ Riddle
Ich beende oft eine Jagd,
Bin von der Polizei gemacht.
Ich nehme dir die Freiheit fort,
An einem bestimmten Ort.
Ich bin kein Urteil, nur ein Schritt,
Die Polizei nimmt jemanden mit.
Wer oder was bin ich?
Translation:
I often end a chase,
I am made by the police.
I take your freedom away,
At a specific place.
I'm not a verdict, just a step,
The police take someone along.
Who or what am I?
Solution: die Festnahme (the arrest)
🧩 Additional Information
Word Composition
The word "Festnahme" is a compound noun, composed of:
- fest: Adjective or adverb, meaning 'firm', 'secure', 'fixed'. Used here in the sense of 'holding firm'.
- die Nahme: An archaic form related to 'das Nehmen' (the taking), the act of taking or seizing. Derived from the verb 'nehmen' (to take).
Together, they form the meaning of 'firmly taking' or 'apprehending'.
Summary: is it der, die or das Festnahme?
The word Festnahme is feminine. The correct article is die Festnahme. It is declined as die Festnahme in the singular and die Festnahmen in the plural.