die  Polizei

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/poliˈt͡saɪ/

👮‍♀️ What does "die Polizei" mean?

Die Polizei (feminine noun) in German primarily refers to two things:

• The institution: The state authority responsible for maintaining public safety and order, preventing and prosecuting crimes. It represents the executive power of the state. Example: Die Polizei hat den Täter gefasst. (The police caught the perpetrator.)
• The building: Colloquially, "die Polizei" can also refer to the police station or precinct. Example: Ich muss zur Polizei gehen, um eine Anzeige zu erstatten. (I have to go to the police station to file a report.)

⚠️ Important: Although "die Polizei" refers to a group of people (Polizisten and Polizistinnen - police officers), the word is grammatically treated as singular feminine when referring to the institution.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: die Polizei

The noun "Polizei" is feminine. Therefore, the article is always "die". It is mostly used in the singular when referring to the institution.

Declension Singular

Plural

The plural form "die Polizeien" exists but is rarely used. It refers to different, independent police organizations (e.g., the police forces of the German federal states). In common usage, people refer to "der Polizei" (singular) or the individual officers ("die Polizisten" - male/mixed group, "die Polizistinnen" - female).

📝 Example Sentences

1. Nominative: Die Polizei sorgt für Sicherheit. (The police ensure safety.)
2. Genitive: Die Anweisungen der Polizei sind zu befolgen. (The instructions of the police must be followed.)
3. Dative: Ich habe den Unfall der Polizei gemeldet. (I reported the accident to the police.)
4. Accusative: Bitte rufen Sie die Polizei! (Please call the police!)

💡 How to use "die Polizei"

"Die Polizei" is a very common word in German. Here are some typical contexts:

• Emergencies: "Schnell, ruf die Polizei!" (Quick, call the police! - The emergency number in Germany is 110).
• News reporting: "Die Polizei untersucht den Vorfall." (The police are investigating the incident.)
• Contact with the authority: "Er wurde von der Polizei angehalten." (He was stopped by the police.) / "Sie arbeitet bei der Polizei." (She works for the police.)
• As a location (colloquial): "Das Fundbüro ist bei der Polizei." (The lost-and-found office is at the police station.)

Important Distinction:

• Die Polizei: The entire organization or the building.
• Der Polizist / Die Polizistin: An individual male/female police officer.

You would not say: "Ein Polizei hat mir geholfen." but rather "Ein Polizist hat mir geholfen." (A police officer helped me.) or "Die Polizei hat mir geholfen." (The police helped me.)

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Polizei"

For the article "die": Polizei ends in "-ei", like many other feminine nouns in German (die Bäckerei - bakery, die Bücherei - library, die Partei - party). Also, imagine a policewoman - she is die Frau bei der Polizei.

For the meaning: Think of the flashing blue lights and siren – People Organizing Law, Investigating, Zealous, Enforcing, Intervening. That's the job of die Polizei.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar Words (Potential for Confusion):

• Politik (die): (Politics) Has a similar origin but refers to the actions and shaping of the state and society.
• Politesse (die): (Female traffic warden) Often responsible for parking enforcement.

😂 A Little Police Joke

German: Warum nimmt die Polizei immer eine Schere mit zum Einsatz? – Damit sie dem Täter den Weg abschneiden kann!

English: Why do the police always take scissors with them on a mission? – So they can cut off the perpetrator's path! (Weg abschneiden = to cut off the path/way)

📜 Poem about the Police

German:
In Blau gekleidet, Tag und Nacht,
hält die Polizei die Wacht.
Bei Unfall, Streit und auch Gefahr,
ist sie schnell für jeden da.
Sie sorgt für Ordnung, Recht und Ruh',
drum sag ich ihr: Respekt dazu!

English Translation:
Dressed in blue, day and night,
the police keep watch, hold tight.
For accidents, disputes, and danger near,
they quickly come, for all to cheer.
They ensure order, law, and peace,
so I tell them: Respect, at least!

❓ Riddle Time

German:
Ich trage Uniform, doch bin kein Soldat.
Ich helfe in Not, auf Stadt und Staat.
Mein Auto hat Blaulicht, das jeder kennt.
Wer bin ich, der schnell zum Einsatz rennt?

Lösung: Die Polizei

English Translation:
I wear a uniform, but I'm not a soldier.
I help in need, in city and state, getting bolder.
My car has blue lights, known near and far.
Who am I, rushing to the scene, like a star?

Solution: The police (die Polizei)

🌐 More Interesting Facts

Etymology (Word Origin): The German word "Polizei" comes from the Greek word politeia (state administration, citizenship) via the Latin politia (state administration) and the French police.

Emergency Number: In Germany and many European countries, the emergency phone number for the police is 110.

Compound Nouns: The word "Polizei" is part of many compound nouns, e.g.: Polizeiauto (police car), Polizeibericht (police report), Polizeikontrolle (police check), Kriminalpolizei (criminal investigation department), Bundespolizei (federal police), Wasserschutzpolizei (waterways police).