die  Verhaftung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/fɛɐ̯ˈhaftʊŋ/

What does 'die Verhaftung' mean? 👮

Die Verhaftung (noun, feminine) refers to the act of arresting a person by state authorities (e.g., police), usually based on an arrest warrant (Haftbefehl) or strong suspicion of a crime (dringender Tatverdacht). It involves depriving someone of their liberty to secure criminal proceedings.

Essentially, it's the arrest or apprehension of a person by authorized officials.

• Core meaning: Deprivation of liberty by state organs.
• Context: Law, police, criminal prosecution.

⚠️ Attention: Don't confuse it with a simple identity check (Personenkontrolle) or a summons (Vorladung).

Article rules for der, die, and das

Grammar Spotlight: die Verhaftung

The word "Verhaftung" is a feminine noun. The article is die. It is declined as follows:

Singular

Plural

The plural is "die Verhaftungen".

Example Sentences

1. Die Verhaftung des Verdächtigen erfolgte am frühen Morgen.
   (The arrest of the suspect took place in the early morning.)
2. Der Anwalt protestierte gegen die Verhaftung seines Mandanten.
   (The lawyer protested against the arrest of his client.)
3. Nach der Verhaftung wurde der Mann zur Polizeiwache gebracht.
   (After the arrest, the man was taken to the police station.)
4. Die Nachrichten berichteten über mehrere Verhaftungen nach der Demonstration.
   (The news reported several arrests after the demonstration.)

Context & Usage: When to use 'die Verhaftung'?

"Die Verhaftung" is specifically used in legal and police contexts. It describes the formal act of depriving someone of their freedom.

• Typical situations: Police operations, criminal proceedings, news reports about crime.
• Important collocations: eine Verhaftung durchführen/vornehmen (to carry out an arrest), zur Verhaftung führen (to lead to an arrest), wegen Verdachts auf ... Verhaftung (arrest on suspicion of...).
• Distinction from similar terms:
  • Festnahme: Often used synonymously, but can also mean a preliminary detention without an immediate warrant. "Verhaftung" usually implies a stronger legal basis (Haftbefehl).
  • Gewahrsam: Can also be a protective measure (e.g., for drunk individuals), not necessarily due to a crime. (custody)
  • Vorführung: Bringing a person before an authority (e.g., a judge), often follows an arrest. (presentation)

The word carries a serious connotation and is directly linked to the infringement of personal liberty.

Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic

Think of the ending "-ung". Words ending in "-ung" in German are almost always feminine (die). Like die Rettung (the rescue), die Meinung (the opinion), die Untersuchung (the investigation)... and thus die Verhaftung. It's an action (Handlung) by the police.

Meaning Mnemonic

Imagine someone being held liable ("haftbar") and simultaneously being held physically. The syllable "haft" is in Verhaftung and relates to haften (to be detained/liable). The police take someone into custody (in Haft) - that's the Verhaftung. Think of police putting handcuffs (similar sound to 'haft') on someone during an arrest.

Similar & Opposite Terms

Misleadingly Similar Words

• Verpflichtung: Sounds somewhat similar, but means obligation or commitment.
• Haftung: Refers to legal liability (e.g., for debts or damages), not deprivation of liberty.

A Little Chuckle 😂

Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Warum haben Sie denn die Parkuhr aufgebrochen?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Herr Richter, da stand doch drauf: 'Einwurf für 2 Stunden'. Ich dachte, da muss ja ordentlich was drin sein!"
Richter: "Das führt dann wohl direkt zur nächsten Verhaftung wegen versuchten Diebstahls!"

--- Translation ---

The judge asks the defendant: "Why did you break open the parking meter?"
The defendant answers: "Your Honor, it said right on it: 'Insert coins for 2 hours'. I figured there must be quite a bit inside!"
Judge: "Well, that probably leads directly to the next arrest for attempted theft!"

Poem about 'Verhaftung'

Blaulicht flackert, Nacht wird hell,
Sirenen heulen, schnell, schnell, schnell.
Die Tür fliegt auf, ein lauter Ruf,
Ein Schatten flieht, doch nicht genug.

Hände hoch, kein Widerstand,
Ein Klick von Stahl an kalter Hand.
Gesetzeshüter, ernster Blick,
Die Verhaftung, kein Zurück.

--- Translation ---

Blue light flickers, night turns bright,
Sirens wail, fast, with all might.
The door flies open, a loud call,
A shadow flees, but not that tall (to escape).

Hands up high, no resistance shown,
A click of steel on hand cold-grown.
Guardians of law, a serious gaze,
The arrest, no turning back the days.

Little Riddle

Ich komme oft unerwartet,
beende Freiheit, meist begründet.
Bin eine Handlung, streng und hart,
geführt von Polizei und Staat.
Wer bin ich, mit femininem Kleid,
beende oft die Flucht, die Zeit?

--- Translation ---

I often come unexpectedly,
I end freedom, usually with reason.
I am an action, strict and hard,
carried out by police and the state's guard.
Who am I, with a feminine dress (gender),
often ending flight and time's duress?

Solution: die Verhaftung (the arrest)

Trivia & Origin

Word Formation (Wortbildung)

The word "Verhaftung" is a noun derived from the verb verhaften (to arrest). The suffix -ung is commonly used in German to form nouns from verbs, typically describing the process or result of the action (e.g., untersuchen -> Untersuchung (investigation), warnen -> Warnung (warning)). These nouns are almost always feminine (die).

Legal Background (Rechtlicher Hintergrund)

An arrest (Verhaftung) in Germany is strictly regulated by law, particularly by the Code of Criminal Procedure (Strafprozessordnung - StPO). It generally requires an arrest warrant (Haftbefehl) issued by a judge, or imminent danger (Gefahr im Verzug) coupled with strong suspicion of a crime.