die
Verwahrung
❓ What does "die Verwahrung" mean?
Die Verwahrung is a feminine noun generally describing the act or state of safekeeping or taking something or someone into custody. It has several specific meanings:
- Safekeeping / Deposit: The act of keeping items (e.g., Wertsachen - valuables, Dokumente - documents, Gepäck - luggage) in a secure place, often for a fee. Example: Die Verwahrung von Schmuck im Banksafe (The safekeeping of jewelry in a bank safe).
- Custody (legal): The detention of a person by authorities, e.g., police custody or pre-trial detention (Untersuchungshaft). Example: Der Verdächtige wurde in Verwahrung genommen (The suspect was taken into custody).
- Administrative Custody: The official taking charge of objects or animals. Example: Die amtliche Verwahrung eines herrenlosen Tieres (The official taking into custody of a stray animal).
🚨 The plural form "die Verwahrungen" is quite rare and usually refers to multiple separate acts of taking something into safekeeping or custody.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ung → always feminine.
There are many -ung words, we won't list them all. There are only a few exceptions.
🧐 Grammar of 'die Verwahrung' in Detail
The word "Verwahrung" is a feminine noun. The article is die.
Declension (Singular):
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article | (English Meaning) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Verwahrung | eine Verwahrung | (Subject: Who/What?) |
| Genitive | der Verwahrung | einer Verwahrung | (Possessive: Whose?) |
| Dative | der Verwahrung | einer Verwahrung | (Indirect Object: To/For whom?) |
| Accusative | die Verwahrung | eine Verwahrung | (Direct Object: Whom/What?) |
Plural: The plural "die Verwahrungen" is used infrequently.
📝 Example Sentences
- Die sichere Verwahrung der Dokumente ist gewährleistet.
(The secure safekeeping of the documents is guaranteed.) - Er befindet sich bis zur Verhandlung in polizeilicher Verwahrung.
(He is in police custody until the trial.) - Für die Verwahrung des Gepäcks fällt eine Gebühr an.
(There is a fee for the luggage storage/safekeeping.) - Die Bank bietet Schließfächer zur Verwahrung von Wertsachen an.
(The bank offers safe deposit boxes for the safekeeping of valuables.)
💡 Usage and Context for Verwahrung
"Die Verwahrung" is used in various contexts:
- Everyday Life: When you want to store things securely, e.g., luggage storage (Gepäckverwahrung), keeping keys safe.
- Finance: In connection with banks for the secure storage of securities (Wertpapierverwahrung) or valuables in a safe (Safe).
- Law & Authorities: Often refers to Gewahrsam (custody), meaning the detention of persons (polizeiliche Verwahrung - police custody, Untersuchungshaft - pre-trial detention). It also includes the official confiscation or taking charge (Sicherstellung) of items or animals.
Distinction from similar terms:
- Aufbewahrung: Often more general and less formal than Verwahrung. You can aufbewahren (keep/store) food in the fridge, but rarely verwahren it.
- Lagerung: Usually refers to storing larger quantities or bulky goods over a longer period.
- Gewahrsam: A specific legal term for the detention of persons or the seizure of items by authorities. Often used synonymously with Verwahrung in the legal sense.
🧠 Mnemonics for Verwahrung
Article Mnemonic: Most nouns ending in -ung are feminine (die), like die Rechnung, die Wohnung, die Bedeutung... and die Verwahrung!
Meaning Mnemonic: Think of keeping something 'very warm and safe' in Verwahrung. Or imagine someone declaring 'It is true (wahr) that this is safe!' -> Verwahrung.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
Antonyms (Opposites):
- Freilassung: (release - from custody/detention)
- Herausgabe: (handover, return - of kept items)
- Entwendung / Diebstahl: (theft / larceny)
- Verlust: (loss)
⚠️ Similar but Different Words:
- Verwarnung: (A warning, caution - sounds similar but different meaning!)
- Verwaltung: (Administration, management - completely different concept, relates to organizing/managing things, not keeping them safe in this sense).
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Warum haben Sie die Gans gestohlen?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Herr Richter, ich brauchte sie dringend zur sicheren Verwahrung – sie hat ständig geschnattert!"
Translation:
The judge asks the defendant: "Why did you steal the goose?"
The defendant answers: "Your Honor, I urgently needed it for safekeeping – it wouldn't stop quacking!"
📜 Poem about Verwahrung
Ein Schatz, ein Brief, ein altes Buch,
sucht Schutz vor fremdem Zugriff, Fluch.
Die Verwahrung, sicher, fest,
bewahrt, was man ihr anvertraut, aufs Best'.
Ob Schloss, ob Zelle, streng bewacht,
sie gibt auf Hab und Gut gut Acht.
Translation:
A treasure, letter, ancient book,
Seeks shelter from a thief or crook.
The safekeeping, secure and tight,
Guards what's entrusted, day and night.
Be it a lock, or cell well-kept,
It watches over goods adept.
🧩 Little Riddle
Ich schließe ein, was wertvoll ist,
bin Schutz vor Dieb und arger List.
Mal bin ich Zwang für Mensch und Tier,
mal sich'rer Hafen für Papier.
Was bin ich?
Lösung/Solution: die Verwahrung
Translation:
I lock away what's valuable,
Protect from thieves and cunning pull.
Sometimes I'm force for man and beast,
Sometimes safe harbor for paper, at least.
What am I?
Solution: safekeeping / custody (die Verwahrung)
⚙️ Word Details & Trivia
Word Formation (Wortbildung):
The word "Verwahrung" is composed of:
- The prefix "ver-", which here can indicate completion or purpose.
- The stem of the verb "wahren" (to preserve, guard, protect).
- The suffix "-ung", which forms the noun and denotes a process or state.
Related Terms (Verwandte Begriffe):
- Verwahrstelle: Place of deposit/safekeeping (e.g., luggage locker area)
- Verwahrvertrag: Custody agreement / deposit contract (legal term)
- Verwahrgeld / Verwahrentgelt: Custody fee / safekeeping charge (e.g., negative interest charged by banks was sometimes called this)
- Untersuchungshaft / Polizeigewahrsam: Pre-trial detention / police custody (specific legal forms of detaining persons)
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Verwahrung?
The correct article for the word Verwahrung is die. It is a feminine noun: die Verwahrung.