German word

Festnahme

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈfɛstˌnaːmə/

Meaning

  • feminine nounarrest

Example

In der Nacht gab es zwei Festnahmen.

There were two arrests during the night.

Illustration for Festnahme (arrest)

More examples

Während der Festnahme kam es zu einem Tumult.

During the arrest, there was a commotion.

Core concept

Police secure control of a person at the scene so that suspicion or evidence can be investigated.

Common phrases

  • während der Festnahme

    during the arrest

  • gegen die Festnahme protestieren

    protest against the arrest

Similar words

Verhaftung: Formal arrest that may lead to court proceedings, detention, or punishment.
Haftbefehl: A court-issued arrest warrant providing legal grounds for taking someone into custody.
Gewahrsam: Temporary protective custody to clarify circumstances or ensure safety.
Untersuchungshaft: Court-ordered detention before trial to preserve evidence or prevent flight.

Definition in German

Vorübergehende physische Festsetzung einer Person durch Polizeibeamte zur Sicherung von Ermittlungen oder bei Tatverdacht.

Word origin

Festnahme is a nominal form of festnehmen, a separable verb built from fest ('firmly') and nehmen ('take').

Usage tips

  • The related verb festnehmen takes an accusative object, and its separable prefix appears at the end of a main clause, as in Die Polizei nahm ihn fest.

Other meanings

  • apprehensionnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • Festnahmeprotokollarrest recordnoun

Word lists with this word