die
Verfolgungsjagd
🕵️♀️ What does 'Verfolgungsjagd' mean?
The German noun die Verfolgungsjagd (feminine) describes the fast pursuit of a person, vehicle, or animal, usually with the intention of catching them. It's often associated with high speed and danger.
Imagine a scene from an action movie: police cars with sirens blaring chasing a fleeing sports car through the city – that's a classic Verfolgungsjagd.
The word is always feminine: die Verfolgungsjagd.
📚 Grammar in Detail: Die Verfolgungsjagd
The noun „Verfolgungsjagd“ is feminine. Here is the declension in the singular. The plural („die Verfolgungsjagden“) is used less often but is grammatically correct.
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die | Verfolgungsjagd |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der | Verfolgungsjagd |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der | Verfolgungsjagd |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die | Verfolgungsjagd |
Declension Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Verfolgungsjagden |
| Genitive | der | Verfolgungsjagden |
| Dative | den | Verfolgungsjagden |
| Accusative | die | Verfolgungsjagden |
Example Sentences 📝
- Die Polizei lieferte sich eine wilde Verfolgungsjagd mit den Bankräubern.
(The police engaged in a wild chase with the bank robbers.) - Im Film gab es mehrere spektakuläre Verfolgungsjagden.
(There were several spectacular chases in the movie.) - Nach einer langen Verfolgungsjagd konnte der Dieb gestellt werden.
(After a long chase, the thief could be apprehended.) - Die Geschichte der Verfolgungsjagd wurde in den Nachrichten erzählt.
(The story of the chase was told in the news.)
🏎️ When to use 'Verfolgungsjagd'?
The term Verfolgungsjagd is mostly used in contexts involving excitement, speed, and often danger:
- Police and Crime: The most common usage refers to the pursuit of suspects or fugitives by police or other security forces.
- Film and Literature: In action movies, crime stories, or thrillers, chases (Verfolgungsjagden) are a popular element to create suspense.
- Sports (rarely): Sometimes used metaphorically in sports when one athlete or team is chasing another (e.g., in cycling or motorsports).
- Animal Kingdom: A predator hunting its prey can also be described as a Verfolgungsjagd, although often just „Jagd“ (hunt) is used here.
It always implies active chasing and being chased over a certain distance and time.
🧠 Mnemonics for 'Verfolgungsjagd'
Remembering the Article 'die':
Think of die Jagd (the hunt/chase), which is feminine. A Verfolgungsjagd is a specific type of Jagd. So, it's die Verfolgungsjagd. Alternatively, imagine die Sirene (the siren, also feminine) wailing during the chase.
Remembering the Meaning:
The word is composed of Verfolgung (pursuit) and Jagd (chase/hunt). Someone is being pursued (verfolgt), and it's a kind of chase (Jagd) to catch them. Picture a wild 'jagged' chase where someone is 'following' (Verfolgung).
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Hetzjagd: Often implies a more intense, relentless, or ruthless chase.
- Jagd: (in context) Can sometimes be used synonymously, but is more general ('hunt' or 'chase').
- Nachstellung: More like stalking or pursuing over a longer period, less about the acute chase.
- Verfolgung: The basic concept ('pursuit'); Verfolgungsjagd emphasizes the speed and the 'chase' aspect.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- Flucht: Escape, the perspective of the one being chased.
- Stillstand: Standstill, the absolute opposite of movement and chase.
- Aufgabe / Abbruch (der Verfolgung): Giving up / calling off (the pursuit).
- Entkommen: Successful escape from the perspective of the one being chased.
⚠️ Note: Don't confuse it with "Jagd" in the sense of hunting wild animals, although the structure is similar.
😂 A Little Joke
German: Fragt der Polizist seinen Kollegen nach einer langen Verfolgungsjagd: "Haben wir ihn?" Sagt der Kollege: "Nein, aber wir haben ihn super abgelenkt!"
English: After a long car chase, one police officer asks his partner: "Did we get him?" The partner replies: "No, but we distracted him really well!"
📜 A Short Poem
German:
Durch Straßen, eng und breit,
Geht die Verfolgungsjagd, voll Heißigkeit.
Sirenen schrillen, Motoren dröhnen,
Den Flüchtigen einzuholen, zu krönen.
Ein Spiel auf Zeit, voll Adrenalin,
Wer wohl am Ende wird gewinn'n?
English:
Through streets both narrow, wide,
Goes the chase, with fervent stride.
Sirens scream, engines roar,
To catch the fugitive, ask for more.
A game of time, adrenaline's flight,
Who will emerge victorious, dark or light?
❓ A Riddle
German:
Ich habe keinen Anfang, doch ein Ziel,
bin schnell, oft laut und manchmal wild.
Zwei Seiten gibt's, doch nur eine gewinnt,
man sieht mich oft, wo Blaulicht blinkt.
Was bin ich?
English:
I have no start, but have a goal,
I'm fast, often loud, sometimes wild and bold.
There are two sides, but only one can win,
You often see me where blue lights spin.
What am I?
Solution: die Verfolgungsjagd (the chase/pursuit)
🧩 Other Details
Word Composition:
The word "Verfolgungsjagd" is a compound noun, made up of:
- Die Verfolgung: (Noun from verfolgen - to pursue) - the pursuit
- Die Jagd: (Noun from jagen - to hunt/chase) - the hunt/chase
The 's' in the middle (Verfolgungsjagd) is a linking element ('Fugen-s') often used in German compound words.
Cultural Reference:
Car chases (Verfolgungsjagden) are a staple of the action genre in movies and TV shows worldwide, including in Germany (e.g., in series like "Alarm für Cobra 11").
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Verfolgungsjagd?
The noun "Verfolgungsjagd" is always feminine. The correct article is die: die Verfolgungsjagd. It means 'chase' or 'pursuit', typically a fast one involving vehicles or people.