die  Vernehmung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/fɛɐ̯ˈneːmʊŋ/

🧐 What exactly is a Vernehmung?

Die Vernehmung (feminine, plural: die Vernehmungen) refers to the formal, often official or judicial, questioning of a person (e.g., a witness, accused person, or expert) regarding a specific matter.

It's a central term in the legal system and police investigations. The goal is to obtain information or evidence.

• Context: Primarily in legal, police, or administrative environments.
• Important: A Vernehmung usually requires official minutes or records (protokollpflichtig).

⚠️ Do not confuse it with an informal Befragung (questioning) or an Interview, which are less formal.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📝 Grammar of die Vernehmung Explained

The noun "Vernehmung" is feminine. The article is always die.

Singular Declension

Plural Declension

Example Sentences

1. Die Vernehmung des Zeugen dauerte mehrere Stunden.
   (The questioning/interrogation of the witness lasted several hours.)
2. Während der Vernehmung machte der Beschuldigte widersprüchliche Angaben.
   (During the questioning/interrogation, the accused made contradictory statements.)
3. Die Polizei führte mehrere Vernehmungen durch, um den Fall aufzuklären.
   (The police conducted several interrogations/questionings to solve the case.)
4. Das Protokoll der Vernehmung wurde dem Gericht vorgelegt.
   (The record/minutes of the interrogation was presented to the court.)

🗣️ When and How to Use 'Vernehmung'

The term die Vernehmung is used almost exclusively in formal, official language, especially in the following contexts:

• Police investigations: Questioning of witnesses, victims, or suspects by the police (e.g., polizeiliche Vernehmung - police questioning/interrogation).
• Court proceedings: Questioning of parties, witnesses, or experts in court (e.g., richterliche Vernehmung - judicial examination, Zeugenvernehmung - questioning of a witness).
• Administrative procedures: Formal hearings or questionings by authorities (e.g., in asylum procedures).

In everyday life, one would more likely speak of a Befragung (questioning), a Gespräch (conversation), or an Interview. A Vernehmung always implies an official character and often legal relevance.

Distinction:

• Befragung: Can also be informal, e.g., a survey.
• Anhörung: Similarly formal, but often emphasizes the right of the person being questioned to be heard (e.g., before a decision is made).
• Verhör: Very similar to Vernehmung, but often with a stronger focus on an accused person and sometimes with a negative connotation (implying pressure).

🧠 Mnemonics for Article and Meaning

Article Mnemonic (die)

Many German nouns ending in -ung are feminine (die). Think of die Prüfung (the exam), die Lösung (the solution), die Meinung (the opinion)... and therefore also die Vernehmung!

Meaning Mnemonic

The related verb is "vernehmen" - which can mean 'to hear' or 'to perceive', but also 'to question/examine' someone formally. During a Vernehmung, the authorities want to formally "vernehmen" (hear, learn) something from you. They 'take' (like from nehmen) your testimony.

↔️ Synonyms, Antonyms & Similar Words

Potentially Confusing Words:

• Vernehmen (verb): To hear, perceive, or to question/examine someone formally.
• Vernehmbarkeit: Audibility.

😂 A Little Joke to Lighten Up

Richter zum Angeklagten in der Vernehmung: "Haben Sie zum Tatzeitpunkt getrunken?"
Angeklagter: "Nein, Herr Richter, nur einen winzigen Schluck aus der Pulle."
Richter: "Und wie groß war die Pulle?"
Angeklagter: "Ach, nicht der Rede wert... die war fast leer!" 😄

Translation:

Judge to the defendant during questioning: "Were you drinking at the time of the crime?"
Defendant: "No, Your Honor, just a tiny sip from the bottle."
Judge: "And how big was the bottle?"
Defendant: "Oh, nothing to speak of... it was almost empty!" 😄

✍️ A Poem about die Vernehmung

Im kühlen Raum, das Licht ist grell,
Beginnt das Frage-Antwort-Spiel.
Die Vernehmung nimmt ihren Lauf,
Wahrheit sucht man, nimmt viel in Kauf.

Ein Protokoll wird mitgeschrieben,
Jedes Wort wird festgehalten,
Die Luft ist schwer, die Zeit verrinnt,
Bis man klare Fakten find't.

Translation:

In the cool room, the light is harsh,
The question-answer game begins.
The interrogation takes its course,
Seeking truth, accepting much recourse.

A record is being kept,
Every word is noted down,
The air is heavy, time slips by,
Until clear facts they can descry.

❓ A Tricky Riddle

Ich bin formell und oft im Amt,
mein Ziel ist Wissen, wohlbekannt.
Zeugen, Täter, jedermann,
muss mir Rede und Antwort stah'n.
Ein Protokoll hält fest mein Sein,
im Rechtssystem bin ich daheim.

Was bin ich?

(I am formal and often official,
my goal is knowledge, it's beneficial.
Witnesses, culprits, everyone,
must answer me 'til day is done.
A record captures my essence true,
in the legal system, I see things through.)

What am I?

Solution: Die Vernehmung (The interrogation/questioning/examination)

🧩 Interesting Details & Word Origin

Word Composition

The word "Vernehmung" is composed of:

• The prefix ver-: often intensifying or indicating a process.
• The stem of the verb nehmen (to take): here in the sense of "to take down", "to receive" (a statement). The older verb "vernehmen" meant "to hear", "to perceive".
• The suffix -ung: forms nouns from verbs, often denoting a process or its result; these nouns are almost always feminine.

So, the meaning evolved from "the act of hearing/perceiving" to "the act of questioning for the purpose of hearing/gaining information".